The Presidents Cup turns Chicago into the epicenter of international golf and sports-related business, with a projected $175 million in economic impact and the arrival of approximately 200,000 people at the historic Medinah Country Club. Over six days, the tournament pits the United States against an international team, with no European representation, transforming the city’s northwestern suburbs into a global showcase for brands, companies, sponsors, and fans. The competition, which runs through September 27, will also feature the announced presence of Donald Trump, honorary president of this edition, in an event that combines elite sport, luxury hospitality, and business networking.
The projected economic impact reflects the ability of major sporting events to mobilize sectors that extend far beyond the competition itself. Organizers expect visitor spending to boost activity in hotels, restaurants, transportation, retail, and tourism services, with particular attention to international visitors, whose spending represents a significant share of the business. According to data cited by local tourism officials, foreign visitors who travel to play golf spend, on average, eight times more than domestic tourists, making this audience one of the Presidents Cup’s main commercial attractions.
Chicago and Medinah, driving the Presidents Cup business
The projected $175 million would place this edition above the $135 million generated by the 2022 tournament in Charlotte, which remains the largest economic impact recorded by a Presidents Cup held in the United States. Chicago has an internationally connected airport infrastructure, a significant corporate presence, and a tourism offering that allows economic activity to extend beyond the golf course. The arrival of high-net-worth visitors, businesspeople, consultants, and representatives of major brands creates opportunities across various sectors, particularly accommodation, dining, transportation, and exclusive experiences.
The center of this activity is the Medinah Country Club, a historic venue founded in 1924 that hosts the competition on its Course No. 3. With this edition, the course becomes the first to have hosted the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Presidents Cup. This sporting legacy also becomes a commercial asset for the tournament, offering sponsors and corporate clients a combination of prestige, history, and proximity to Chicago. The premium hospitality offering, including spaces such as the 1924 Club, aims to turn the attendee experience into an opportunity to establish business relationships and strengthen brand visibility.
Sponsors, golf stars, and Donald Trump’s presence
The Presidents Cup brings together international brands from sectors such as finance, consulting, energy, watchmaking, and beverages. Rolex, Barings, Forvis Mazars, and Energy Transfer are among its global partners, while Michelob ULTRA lends its name to the Captains’ Club, one of the tournament’s hospitality areas. These companies are drawn to an event that allows them to connect with high-net-worth clients and business representatives. Through commercial agreements and exclusive experiences, the competition provides a platform to strengthen corporate relationships and expand brands’ international exposure.
The event’s commercial appeal is also linked to the presence of prominent figures in world golf. The U.S. team features Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 player, alongside Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, and Collin Morikawa. Meanwhile, the International Team includes players such as Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott, Tom Kim, Min Woo Lee, and Si Woo Kim, whose profiles connect with strategic markets in Asia, Australia, and the United States. The announced presence of Donald Trump, the tournament’s honorary president, adds a political and media dimension to the competition. His involvement broadens public attention around an event that combines elite golf, luxury hospitality, and business networking.
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