General public ticket sales begin Sept. 17 for Central Florida’s signature PGA TOUR event at Bay Hill

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Golf fans can begin making plans for the 2027 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, with tickets and upgraded fan experiences now available exclusively to Mastercard cardholders ahead of next week’s general public sale.

The Mastercard presale began Sept. 10, a date that would have marked golf legend Arnold Palmer’s 97th birthday. The tournament returns March 18-21, 2027, to Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.

Tickets for the general public go on sale Thursday, Sept. 17.

Ticket Prices Start at $40

General admission tickets start at $40 for Tuesday and Wednesday practice rounds. Thursday tickets begin at $85, while admission Friday through Sunday starts at $99.

Prices are before fees and are subject to change.

Mastercard cardholders can save 10% on ticket purchases, excluding taxes, when paying with a Mastercard.

“We strive to create unique experiences at all price points,” Tournament Director Drew Donovan said. “From our special events to our premium experiences, there is something for everyone.”

Donovan said spectators can choose from experiences ranging from Bay Hill Clubhouse access at The Orange Grove to front-row viewing at the Michelob Ultra Fan Deck and the premium Lakehouse experience.

Premium Fan Experiences Return to Bay Hill

The Orange Grove returns in 2027 with enhanced amenities, including access to the Bay Hill Clubhouse. The all-inclusive experience features tournament grounds admission, daily clubhouse access, entry to Arnie’s at the Orange Grove, food and beverages, private greenside seating at No. 9 and parking with the four-day Tournament Experience package.

The Michelob Ultra Fan Deck, located between the 15th green and 16th tee, also returns following a full rebrand. The venue features upgraded concessions, a large live video wall and front-row views of players competing at No. 16. Fan Deck tickets, including grounds admission, start at $150.

The Lakehouse returns after selling out in each of its first two years, including an even faster sellout in 2026.

Tournament organizers also plan to bring back Wine & Dine on 9, Birdies & BBQ and Throwback Thursday presented by Corkcicle. All three events sold out last year. Dates, prices and additional details are expected to be announced later.

Akshay Bhatia Set to Defend Title

Defending champion Akshay Bhatia is expected to return to Bay Hill following a career-best year and will compete for a share of the tournament’s elevated $20 million purse.

The 2027 field is expected to once again feature many of the world’s leading golfers competing for one of the PGA TOUR’s most prestigious titles. Additional player commitments will be announced closer to tournament week.

Continuing Arnold Palmer’s Legacy

The Arnold Palmer Invitational has become one of Central Florida’s signature sporting events while preserving Palmer’s influence on professional golf and the Orlando community.

Proceeds benefit the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation and its work supporting children’s health, character development and nature-focused wellness initiatives.

The tournament will be played March 18-21, 2027, at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.

Bulls kicker scores 13 points as Brian Hartline earns his first victory as USF head coach

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Nico Gramatica delivered a big opening-night performance for South Florida, accounting for 13 points as the Bulls defeated FIU 19-9 and gave first-year head coach Brian Hartline his first victory at USF.

Gramatica connected on four field goals — from 37, 53, 30 and 29 yards — and converted an extra point. His 53-yarder highlighted a performance that provided the Bulls with points when drives stalled and helped USF maintain control of the season opener.

USF kicker No. 7 Nico Gramatica prepares for a play during the Bulls’ 2026 Spring Game in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Nisey Spruill/Florida National News)

Gramatica Gives USF an Early Boost

Gramatica’s performance adds another chapter to a familiar football name in Tampa.

The USF kicker is the son of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Martin Gramatica, but Nico continues to establish his own identity with the Bulls. His four-field-goal performance provided a strong start to the season and demonstrated his ability to convert from long range.

His 13 points accounted for more than two-thirds of USF’s scoring against FIU.

Bulls Defense Forces Three Turnovers

USF’s defense also played a major role in the victory, forcing three FIU turnovers while the Bulls finished the game without committing a turnover.

That combination helped USF protect its lead and gave Hartline a victory in his first game leading the program.

For a team beginning a new era, winning the turnover battle and limiting mistakes provided an encouraging foundation.

Brian Hartline Era Begins With a Win

The 19-9 victory marked Hartline’s first win as USF’s head coach and gave the Bulls early momentum as they begin the 2026 season.

While Gramatica provided much of the scoring and the defense created turnovers, USF now faces a different challenge: taking that formula on the road.

USF Turns Its Attention to Army

The Bulls travel to West Point, New York, to face Army on Saturday, Sept. 12, at noon in USF’s first road game and first American Conference matchup of the season.

After opening the Hartline era with a victory in Tampa, the Army matchup will provide an early test of how the Bulls respond away from home and against a conference opponent.

For USF, the objective is straightforward: build on the opener and keep the early-season momentum moving.

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– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com