Key Points
- Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham declares that a Ryder Cup in Bolton would be the "best one yet" and "better than anyone has done it before".
- Plans to host the event at Hulton Park Estate in Bolton received a major boost in March with a £70 million infrastructure package, including a link road between the M61 and M6 to improve access.
- European Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood, from the north-west, has shown strong support for the Bolton bid, stating it would be "exceptional" for England and "fantastic" for his home region.
- Bolton's bid is for 2035, marking the first time in England since 2002; competing English venues include Luton Hoo Resort and London Golf Club.
- Burnham revealed plans to also bid for the Solheim Cup in the region.
- This comes amid backlash over 2027 Ryder Cup ticket prices at Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland, with standard tournament day tickets at €499, nearly double Rome 2023 prices; Justin Rose’s caddie Mark ‘Fooch’ Fulcher called them “extortionately high” and a “sad day” for golf.
- Ryder Cup organisers defended prices as “proportionate” with “unprecedented” demand from Irish fans.
- Future venues: 2027 Adare Manor (Ireland), 2029 Hazeltine National (Minnesota), 2031 Camiral Golf & Wellness (Costa Brava, Spain), 2033 The Olympic Club (San Francisco), 2037 Congressional Country Club (Maryland); 2035 unconfirmed.
Bolton (Bolton Today) April 27, 2026 - Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has boldly declared that Bolton can host the best Ryder Cup ever at Hulton Park Estate, provided essential infrastructure investments are secured. Speaking at a recent Greater Manchester Combined Authority meeting, Burnham stated,
“I think we can do it, we will do it, and we will do it better than anyone has done it before,”
as reported by The Bolton News. He emphasised the need for regional improvements, adding,
“But it must come with that infrastructure investment, not just in Bolton but going into Wigan.”
This comes after a £70 million package was secured in March, including a vital link road between the M61 and M6 to ease travel for the potential 2035 event.
Will Bolton Host the 2035 Ryder Cup?
Bolton’s ambitious bid for the 2035 Ryder Cup at the yet-to-be-built Hulton Park course has gained momentum, with Andy Burnham framing it as a driver for economic growth. As reported by Sky Sports, Burnham said,
“Culture and sport will be major drivers of our good growth, and that's why we're bidding to host the biggest ever Ryder Cup in Bolton in 2035.”
The £250 million project at the historic Hulton Park Estate, once owned by the family inspiring Downton Abbey, promises a world-class venue, according to The Guardian.
Tommy Fleetwood, the World No.3 and recent European Ryder Cup victor, has publicly backed the bid. In comments covered by BBC News, Fleetwood stated,
“For me as a golfer, having the Ryder Cup in England would be exceptional. Moreover, to host it in the north-west, my home, would be fantastic.”
This support from a local star adds credibility to Bolton's aspirations.
The bid received a significant boost in March 2026 with £70 million in funding for infrastructure, including the crucial M61-M6 link road, as detailed by BBC News. Burnham asserted,
“We are completely serious about this. We have confidence in securing the Ryder Cup, and our next step is to submit a formal bid next month, with hopes for a swift decision.”
Greater Manchester Combined Authority positions this as part of broader economic stimulation.
What Infrastructure Boosts Bolton's Bid?
The £70 million package directly addresses past concerns over transport, making Hulton Park more viable. GB News reported Burnham's announcement of a purpose-built £240m golf resort at Hulton Park, highlighting the infrastructure's role. ESPN noted this push as more credible, with Burnham adding,
“The success of the BRIT Awards in Manchester shows that we can attract and deliver international events to a brilliant standard.”
Burnham stressed regional benefits in The Guardian, saying,
“We’ve had encouraging discussions with organizers about hosting the tournament at a custom, world-class course at Hulton Park. However, this will only be feasible with the appropriate infrastructure in place.”
The link road will connect to Wigan, enhancing accessibility for the expected 350,000 fans.
Who Are Bolton's Competitors for 2035?
Three main English venues are vying for 2035, the first potential return to England since The Belfry in 2002. Golf Monthly outlined Hulton Park, Luton Hoo Hotel & Golf Club in Bedfordshire, and London Golf Club in Kent as key contenders. Luton Hoo, further along, broke ground on a £170m redevelopment designed by Justin Rose and Gary Player, targeting the Ryder Cup.
The Lutonian confirmed Luton Hoo's closure for refurbishment, with owners Arora Group describing their ambition as “very real,” alongside bids from The Belfry, London Golf Club, and Hulton Park. Golf News noted Luton Hoo's prime location near London and Luton Airport, set in 1,000 acres. No final decision has been made, but reports suggest England is favoured.
What Is the Ryder Cup Schedule After 2027?
The Ryder Cup's future is mapped out, with 2035 open. Wikipedia confirms the 2027 event at Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland, on 17–19 September, the first there since 2006. It follows at Hazeltine National in Minnesota in 2029, then Camiral Golf & Wellness on Spain's Costa Brava in 2031, as announced by RyderCup.com.
The 2033 edition heads to The Olympic Club's Lake Course in San Francisco, per the official site. Fox Sports lists 2037 at Congressional Country Club's Blue Course in Maryland, leaving 2035 unawarded. Bunkered.co.uk highlighted the English battle amid this schedule.
Why the Backlash Over 2027 Ryder Cup Tickets?
Ticket pricing for the 2027 Adare Manor event sparked outrage. Standard tournament day tickets cost €499, almost double the €250 for Rome 2023, with fans venting on social media after limited Irish resident sales, as per Bunkered.co.uk. Mark ‘Fooch’ Fulcher, Justin Rose’s caddie, criticised the “extortionately high” prices as a “sad day” for the sport.
Organisers responded that prices were “proportionate to a global sporting event” amid “unprecedented” Irish demand. Premier Golf described Adare Manor as a prestigious, Tom Fazio-redesigned course along the River Maigue. This controversy underscores the stakes for future hosts like Bolton.
What Else Did Burnham Announce?
Burnham revealed a parallel bid for the Solheim Cup, expanding the region's ambitions. In The Bolton News coverage, he tied it to the Ryder Cup efforts, aiming for multiple major events. This aligns with Greater Manchester's strategy, as per Sky Sports, to leverage sport for growth.
The proposals come amid other golf news, like senior major champion Scott McCarron's cancer diagnosis and Jim Furyk's naming as US captain for a future event, noted by Bunkered.co.uk. Alex Fitzpatrick's Zurich Classic win with brother Matt also made headlines.
Burnham envisions Bolton 2035 as the "biggest ever," attracting global visitors and leaving a lasting legacy, per The Guardian. With Fleetwood's endorsement and infrastructure secured, the north-west eyes golf's pinnacle. Challenges remain, including course construction and competition, but optimism prevails.