U.S. Open Golf
From June 13 through 19, the United States Golf Association will stage its 105th annual National Championship at Pinehurst in North Carolina. This year's 65 corporate hospitality suites are already booked, but tickets are available for the Trophy Club—a sports bar-themed pavilion featuring full food and beverage service, parking, private restrooms, televisions, and air conditioning. For $40,000, you get a reserved table for 12 with corporate signage and 12 tickets per day. (910.295.8151)
Belmont Stakes
On June 11, the elite horses will run the most difficult of the Triple Crown races in Belmont Park. For $400 per person, you can book space in either of two tented areas, with preferred parking, programs, full buffet, open bar, and reserved trackside seats. Even more luxurious, five air-conditioned skyboxes—priced at $60,000—can each seat 50 people theater-style, with private betting, buffet, open bar, and a rooftop observation deck. If you miss out on these coveted packages, you can try to score seats for the Breeder's Cup in October—but the prices for the same packages are even higher. (Group sales: 718.641.4700)
US Open Tennis Tournament
Tickets for the 2005 tournament August 29 to September 11 go on sale June 6, and are available though the United States Tennis Association's (USTA) group sales office (718.760.6200, www.usopen.org). There is limited availability for the final two days; the earlier dates are easier—and less expensive—to come by. A bonus: For every 25 tickets you purchase, you'll get one free. The USTA also offers a variety of hospitality options, with all corporate Catering handled by Restaurant Associates. The courtside hospitality package includes 28 tickets, and ranges from about $20,000 to $50,000 per session. There is also the somewhat less expensive loge package, as well as table packages and luxury suites.
NYC Cycling Championship
The good news about the July 31 race—which takes place on a course near the South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan—is that, at only four years old, the event still has good ticket packages available. Corporate hospitality packages include a tent with corporate signage and banquet tables as well as umbrellas for outdoor seating, a television monitor with live coverage, race programs, security, and a host. (Threshold Sports: 610.676.0390)
New York Knicks
Madison Square Garden's luxury suite packages include 16 guest passes, plush theater-style seating and barstools, television monitors and phone lines, in-suite restrooms, buffet areas and wet bars, and display cabinets to showcase products or corporate paraphernalia. Single-game pricing starts at $8,000. (Suite sales: 212.465.6771)
New York Jets/Giants Football
Individual season tickets for both the Jets' and Giants' regular season games at the Meadowlands are completely sold out. But you can still book luxury suites for some games. Three mezzanine suites seat 16, with additional standing room for six. For "A" games (games against popular or conference opponents) suites are $15,000; for "B" games, the price is $10,000;
and preseason suites are $5,000 (or $7,500 for the coveted Jets/Giants match-up). Renting the stadium's larger party suite for 32 to 44 people costs $17,000—not including tickets, which can be purchased at face value (about $70 to $80 each). Suite prices include parking and a private suite captain, but catering and bar charges are additional. (Suite sales: 201.460.4305)
New York Yankees
With the Red Sox's win over the Yankees in the last World Series, interest in baseball in the city has been invigorated. Choose from luxury suites, "Hall of Fame" suites for 12 to 30 guests, or the "Great Moments" party room. The stadium also offers opportunities for on-field functions, like softball games, cookouts, and receptions (718.579.4431).
—Alesandra Dubin
Posted 05.31.05
Photos: Timothy A. Clary/Getty Images (Belmont Stakes), David Drapkin/Getty Images (New York Jets)
This story originally appeared in the April/May 2005 issue of the BiZBash Event Style Reporter.
