From U.S. Open merchandise to concessions, here's what fans can expect at Oakmont next week
If you're going to the U.S. Open next week at Oakmont Country Club, here are some things you can expect to see when it comes to things like golf merchandise, concessions and the fan experience as a whole.
With 200,000 people expected to be in attendance near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the week of the championship, the main focus of the event will be the golf. However the offerings provided by the USGA don't stop at the 18th hole.
From photo opportunities to concessions, tens of thousands of square feet of retail space and interactive experiences for adults and kids alike, the U.S. Open at Oakmont will have plenty to keep people busy across all seven days of championship golf.
Grandstand seating allows an elevated view of Oakmont
If it's the golf you're after and you're wondering what the seating options will be like with gallery tickets, grandstand seating will be available throughout the property.
A large grandstand surrounding the 18th hole will provide an elevated view of what is considered one of the best finishing holes in all of golf and where the 125th U.S. Open champion will be crowned next Sunday evening.
In addition to a supreme view of the 18th hole, the grandstand there gives a great view of the 10th tee and the 12th tee.
Pittsburgh-themed concessions at the U.S. Open
When it comes to concessions at the U.S. Open, there will be a number of food items with local flair including Caliente Pizza, bread from Mancini's Bakery and coffee from National Grind.
A Steel City Hot Dog that's loaded with capicola, provolone cheese, vinegar slaw, potato sticks and mustard will also be among the concession options.
Hungry fans can grab an Oakmont shaved kielbasa sandwich, a nod to the historic club being one of the USGA's three anchor sites. The sandwich will be served at all U.S. Open venues in the future, along with a Pebble Beach chicken sandwich and a Pinehurst barbecue pork sandwich.
How much merchandise will be available at the U.S. Open?
The merchandise pavilion at the U.S. Open next week will consist of 35,000 square feet of space with more than 500,000 items available for purchase.
With things like hats, shirts, towels, ball markers, umbrellas, and everything in between, the merchandise pavilion inside the Fan Central zone has something for everyone.
Mary Łopuszyński, the USGA's Managing Director of Merchandise and Licensing, says the massive pavilion started being constructed in late March and has been a work in progress as the tournament has grown closer.
"We have 1,200 volunteers who are just working on merchandise," Lopuszynski said.
The main merchandise pavilion will be open to the public daily through this coming Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for anyone who doesn't have U.S. Open tickets. Starting Monday, tickets will be necessary to access the merchandise.
A smaller satellite merchandise pavilion will be available near the practice area for spectators who enter the tournament using Gate 5.
Spectator experiences in Fan Central
When spectators are dropped off at the main gate to the U.S. Open, a number of different experiences will be available before proceeding to the golf course.
The Fan Central zone includes concessions, restrooms, hydration stations, fan experiences, benches and tables surrounding video boards that will be showing tournament action all week long.
Spectators inside the Fan Central zone near Gate 1 will have an opportunity to get their picture taken with the famous U.S. Open trophy.
The trophy will be on display inside the Swing Experience Driven by Lexus, where fans will also be able to test their putting and get their swing analyzed.
If you've always wondered what it's like to putt on Oakmont's historic greens, you'll have an opportunity to do just that inside Fan Central at the GHIN Putting Experience presented by Sentry.
The putting experience is set up on a replica of Oakmont's 18th green and will give you the chance to roll some putts just like the pros will do next week with the U.S. Open championship at stake.
Practice rounds at the U.S. Open will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and the championship will be played Thursday through Sunday.
