The landscape of sports betting is receiving a significant boost with the latest partnership announcement. ESPN BET has officially joined forces with the PGA Championship, marking a milestone deal as ESPN BET becomes the “official sports betting partner” of this prestigious golf tournament. This groundbreaking agreement will begin to bear fruit at the upcoming event scheduled to take place from May 16 to 19 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville.
The transformative nature of this partnership is evident, given that the PGA Championship is renowned for rotating its venues annually. This removes the prospect of tying the deal to a specific brick-and-mortar sportsbook, ensuring flexibility and wide-reaching engagement from fans regardless of the location.
As anticipation grows for the event next week, ESPN BET is poised to enhance the spectator experience with a dedicated members lounge conveniently located adjacent to the green of No. 13. Within this exclusive space, ESPN BET customers will find a haven offering beverages, comfortable covered seating, and unique betting offerings tailored for the Championship. The lounge also boasts a prime view of the par-4 13th hole, merging comfort with an impeccable vantage point of the competition.
The significance of ESPN BET’s onsite presence is further amplified by Jeff Price, PGA of America Chief Commercial Officer, who highlighted by press release the enhanced spectator experience that the partnership is designed to foster. The integration of ESPN BET’s offerings with the live action is projected to bring new levels of enjoyment and engagement for fans watching the PGA Championship both in person and from afar.
This pioneering deal isn’t a fleeting arrangement; rather, it is cemented through the year 2026. Within this period, the PGA Championship will grace several states where sports betting has been legalized. Notably, the tournaments in the years leading up to the conclusion of the deal will be hosted at Quail Hollow Golf Club in North Carolina in 2025 and at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania in 2026. ESPN BET is an active betting platform in both these states, as well as Kentucky, demonstrating the strategic alignment of the partnership.
The birth of ESPN BET in November 2023 followed a change in partnerships, with Penn National Gaming transitioning from its original sportsbook partner, Barstool Sportsbook, heralding a new chapter with ESPN BET. Now live in 19 US jurisdictions, the digital betting app is rapidly evolving into a prominent player in the sports betting domain.
Beyond offering an on-site sanctuary at Valhalla, ESPN BET is set to be seamlessly “integrated” into PGA Championship coverage by ESPN. This collaboration extends to digital content, meaning that PGA of America’s digital platforms will feature ESPN BET content. Additionally, special betting offers specifically tied to the PGA Championship will be rolled out before and during the competition, incentivizing fans and bettors alike.
As the golfing community and sports bettors eagerly await the commencement of this prestigious event, this alliance between ESPN BET and the PGA Championship signifies a forward-looking era of immersive fan experiences. The blending of live sports with interactive betting opportunities represents a progressive step towards a more engaging, multifaceted approach to enjoying one of golf’s four major championships.
