Look, no disrespect to this week’s PGA Tour stop at PGA National, which I’ll be covering, but I need to be upfront with you: when it comes to Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Arnold Palmer, and the Arnold Palmer Invitational, I’m in that fanatical top 10% of fans. No question about it.
So consider this your official warning, Athlon Sports golf readers: next week (and, honestly, some of this week too) will be all things Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Arnold Palmer, and the API. We’re talking the course, its rich history, tournament history and stats, past champions, The King himself, his enduring legacy, the foundation’s impact, the hospitals bearing his name, and so much more.
Let this article serve as your notice that all things Arnie are on the horizon.
Orlando’s Signature Event Returns
Since 1979, the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard has been a proving ground for the PGA Tour’s biggest names and a can’t-miss event for golf’s most passionate fans. Each spring under the Bay Hill sun, legacies are forged, champions are crowned, and fans from across the globe come together to celebrate something bigger than just golf.
This year’s tournament runs March 2-8, 2026, and if you’ve never experienced it in person, you’re missing out on one of the tour’s most special weeks. There’s something different about Bay Hill. Maybe it’s the ghost of Arnie walking those fairways. Maybe it’s the way the tournament honors his memory while pushing today’s stars to add their names to history. Whatever it is, it works.
Tournament week at Bay Hill isn’t just about four rounds of competitive golf. It’s a celebration that kicks off Monday, March 2 with Arnie’s Army Legacy Pro-Am presented by Chick-fil-A. The shotgun start goes off at 9:00 a.m., followed by a post-event awards celebration at 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday brings the Executive Women’s Breakfast presented by Mastercard, with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. It’s one of those events that showcases how the tournament extends beyond just the competition itself.
Wednesday features the Official Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am, followed by the Tournament Gala & Pro-Am Awards Celebration at 6:30 p.m. Then Thursday through Sunday, it’s game time, with gates opening at 7:30 a.m. for the first two rounds and 8:30 a.m. for the weekend.
Special Experiences You Can’t Miss
One of the coolest events during tournament week is Throwback Thursday, presented by Corkcicle. From the days of the Citrus Classic to today’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bay Hill has been welcoming the PGA Tour for nearly 50 years. At this event, fans can travel back through the tournament’s history while today’s biggest stars write a new chapter just steps away.
You’ll find it at the Landing off the 9th fairway, where you can sip complimentary Anheuser-Busch beer, pose with trophies from years past, and score some retro gear available only at this event. It’s the kind of experience that connects you to the tournament’s rich history in a tangible way.
For families, the VyStar Credit Union Junior Clinic is a must. Kids of all ages are invited to watch, learn, and be inspired as a PGA Tour player shares insights and demonstrates techniques. It’s about fostering a lifelong love for the game, something Arnie would have absolutely loved.
Fan Features and Amenities
If you’re planning to attend, here’s what you need to know. Bleachers are available on a first-come, first-served basis at holes 1, 6, 7, 14, 17, 18, and the driving range. The ULTRA Club features covered grandstands at hole 6, and the Technics Sound Deck at hole 7 lets you hear your favorite players tee off, react to their shots, and banter with fellow players and caddies.
Mastercard cardholders get access to the Mastercard Club, an upgraded venue with a fun atmosphere, full bar, augmented reality photo experience featuring Mastercard golf ambassadors, and spectacular views of the driving range, putting green, and 9th hole.
New this year is Arnie’s Army Fan Village on the 9th fairway, featuring a shady area with a big screen to watch the live telecast. And yes, Chick-fil-A will be serving up their iconic chicken sandwich. For foodies, check out Foodies & Fairways presented by Mastercard and Capital One Business near the main entrance off 18.
Families with young children will appreciate the Orlando Health Family Care Suites, which provide air-conditioned spaces stocked with complimentary diapers, changing tables, private nursing areas, phone charging stations, and comfortable seating. The Orlando Health Kids Zone features a putt-putt area and coloring mural wall.
A Special Podcast Guest
On Thursday, Feb. 26, as I reported yesterday, The Quiet Please Golf Podcast, which I’m a proud co-host of, will welcome Sam Saunders, grandson of Mr. Palmer and former Tour player. It’s going to be a special conversation, and I can’t wait to share it with you all.
The Legacy Lives On
What makes the Arnold Palmer Invitational truly special isn’t just the golf. It’s the way Arnold and Winnie Palmer created a blueprint for serving others. Today, driven by the generosity of “Arnie’s Army,” the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation carries on a pioneering tradition of charity, service, and doing right by others.
As Arnold Palmer once said, “When people ask what’s driven me all these years, I always give the same answer. It’s you.”
That quote captures everything about why this tournament matters. It’s about the fans, the community, the game itself, and the values that Arnie embodied throughout his life.
What’s Coming Next Week
Throughout next week, I’ll be diving deep into everything Bay Hill. Expect articles on the course’s unique challenges, tournament history and statistics, profiles of past champions, and stories about The King’s lasting impact. I’ll also share some cool finds for Arnold Palmer fanatics, from unique items on Etsy to official gear from Fanatics.
Whether you’re planning to attend in person, watching on TV, or streaming on your devices, next week is going to be a celebration of one of golf’s greatest ambassadors and one of the tour’s most beloved events.
Get ready. It’s going to be a week dedicated to The King.