Chart-topping singer/songwriter Ellie Goulding is headline a concert performance being staged during the AIG Women’s Open held at Walton Heath Golf Club this summer.
For the very first time, live music will feature as part of a new and enhanced fan experience that aims to attract new and diverse audiences to the championship to enjoy women’s golf at the very highest level. BRIT Award winner Goulding will entertain fans on Saturday, August 12 following the close of play.
Goulding said: “I’m honoured to be the first music artist to perform at the AIG Women’s Open. The elevation of women’s sport is something I’m a huge champion of, so I can’t wait to be surrounded by inspiring women in August. I’m looking forward to seeing you all there!”
Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A said: “We and our valued partners in AIG have been clear that our ambition is to elevate the AIG Women’s Open as a world-class sporting event. We have made important strides in recent years to enhance prize money, championship venues and facilities for the benefit of the world’s best women’s golfers, but we also see the spectator experience as crucial to increasing the appeal of the Championship and encouraging more fans to attend.
“Our research shows that fans would like to see live music and entertainment feature as part of their event experience and so we have developed an enhanced offering that aims to attract new and diverse audiences into attending the Championship and supporting women’s golf at the very highest level. We are excited by what we have to offer them and look forward to welcoming fans to Walton Heath this summer.”
The AIG Women’s Open will showcase women in sport, business and entertainment with fans attending this year’s Championship set to enjoy world-class golf, live music entertainment and a new festival fan village designed to generate a fun, vibrant and welcoming atmosphere supported by AIG, Adidas, HSBC UK, Mastercard and NTT DATA.
The elevation of the AIG Women’s Open fan experience and event strategy has been informed by research commissioned by The R&A into the UK golf audience which highlighted that two-thirds of fans are interested in live music and entertainment at women’s golf championships. Along with the live music performance from Ellie Goulding, fans can expect a new look festival village, designed in partnership with Populous – a global leader in fan experiences, featuring:
- Festival village stage, managed by GQ Awards organisers Timebased Productions, featuring panel discussions with leading names from sport, business and entertainment.
- Golf It! Zone which will feature fun golf activities to introduce fans to the sport.
- Interactive golf experiences including VR and e-sports.
- Big screens to watch golf and other leading women’s sport including the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
- A new food and beverage offering which will feature a collective of exciting, passionate and diverse street food traders.
The AIG Women’s Open takes place at Walton Heath, Surrey from 9-13 August 2023 that will include the top-50 players in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings. Current world number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand, world number two Nelly Korda and fellow American Lexi Thompson, have already qualified for the Championship.
Tickets are now on sale via aigwomensopen.com. Adult tickets are available from £20, with Saturday tickets including full day of golf action and entry to Ellie Goulding concert priced at £55. To encourage children and young people to attend the AIG Women’s Open, The R&A will continue the successful ‘Kids go Free’ programme on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, which provides children under-16-years-old free entry to the Championship when accompanied by a paying adult. Half-price youth tickets are also available on those days for 16-24-year-olds. Junior and youth tickets for Saturday’s golf action and Ellie Goulding concert are £20 and £40 respectively.