2025 WM Phoenix Open: Scenes from Day 1 at legendary 16th hole
In spite of changes meant to curb shenanigans, a boisterous crowd turned out at the Phoenix Open’s infamous, 20-seat 16th hole, know as “The Coliseum.”
- The 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, known as “The Coliseum,” is undergoing a major renovation set to debut in 2026.
- The redesign aims to improve the fan experience with better views, higher ceilings, and modern finishes.
One of the most famous par-3 holes in golf is about to get a facelift worthy of its reputation.
Organizers of the WM Phoenix Open announced Tuesday that the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, known worldwide as “The Coliseum,” will debut a brand-new hospitality structure in 2026 designed to improve the fan experience while advancing the tournament’s sustainability goals.
It also will provide room for even more fans at the iconic hole.
Additions include the opportunity for fans to purchase individual hospitality tickets at 16 for the first time.
Construction is already underway on what Tournament Chairman Jason Eisenberg called “the nicest temporary structure ever built.” The redesign features wider interior bays, higher ceilings, frameless glass railings and modern finishes. The redesign will deliver a more polished look than before, including clearer views and elevated comfort – an upgrade Eisenberg believes will reflect both the hole’s status and the fans who fill it.
“I think the most exciting thing we’re doing this year is the revamp of 16,” Eisenberg said. “It’s an entirely new structure. It’ll have wider view corridors, fewer columns … which will make the 16th venue, which is already the pinnacle of golf, that much better.
“The other thing we’re doing is we’re creating a Pin Hi Club off to the golfer’s left on the 16th green, which will introduce a brand-new daily ticket to 16, which we’re incredibly excited about. So now 16 is going from three stories (high) to four stories.”
That additional level marks one of the most significant expansions in the history of the hole. Long known for its stadium seating and wall of sound, the 16th will now welcome even more fans into the venue.
“I think it’s just a continued evolution of 16,” Eisenberg said. “Sixteen in its previous self kind of hit its ceiling of what it could be. And I think what we’ve done is really elevated the structure, which allowed us to elevate everything – allowed us to elevate the viewing experience for both patrons that have suites as well as the (general) admission. We elevated the food. We elevated the beverage.
“I mean, really, the 2025 16th structure versus the 2026 16th structure and experience is going to be vastly different.”
That evolution also includes a stronger commitment to sustainability. The WM Phoenix Open has long been celebrated as the world’s largest zero-waste sporting event, and organizers say the new 16th hole structure reinforces that identity.
“We are excited that the new 16th hole structure will advance sustainability and elevate the fan experience,” said David Brannon, WM Four Corners area vice president.
“We expect the new reusable, modular design to significantly reduce construction materials needed. As a result, we’ll see less metal, wood and (materials) needing to be recycled or reused through the tournament’s zero-waste process.”
The build is expected to take approximately four to five months, and Eisenberg said crews are on pace to have the structure largely finished by January, leaving a full month to finalize the details.
“That’ll give us about 30 days to kind of put the final touches on it, make sure that the packages, furniture and food are up to our standards and ready for the consumer to go enjoy,” he said.
The WM Phoenix Open has long been home to some of the rowdiest fans in golf, many who gather at the 16th hole. It’s a topic highlighted on the international stage this past weekend at the Ryder Cup when Rory McIlroy’s frustrations with crowd behavior at Bethpage Black made headlines.
The 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale has built its reputation on a similar raucous energy, bringing up questions about how to balance passion for the game with respect for players.Eisenberg said concerns like those have eased, especially after issues in 2024, noting that the 2025 event showed how the WM Phoenix Open can keep its unique atmosphere while maintaining respect for golfers.
“I think the rowdiness factor is always going to be a fun show at the WM Phoenix Open, but I think that’s why a lot of people come out to go see on top of the golf,” he said. “I think that 2024 was an anomaly when we had some of those incidents, obviously, also with the weather that took place. I think if you look at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open … a lot of the issues we had in 2024 are behind us.”
With the new four-story structure set to debut in 2026, tournament leaders believe the 16th hole will not only maintain its identity as golf’s loudest hole but also continue as a top model for sustainability and fan engagement.
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