Ryder Cup rowdiness ‘raises legal talking points’
Lawyers at William Fry say that last month’s Ryder Cup golf competition in the US raised several legal talking points.
The competition, held in Bethpage Black in New York, was won by Europe, who beat the US hosts 15-13.
In , the William Fry lawyers say that one of the most scrutinised aspects of the competition was fan behaviour, with reported incidents of verbal abuse, tense stand-offs, and objects thrown at players’ families.
Duty of care
They say that, from a legal perspective, event organisers and venue operators are usually expected to exercise a particular duty of care toward all individuals present at an event to varying degrees – including players, officials, and spectators.
“Whether any such duty could extend to responsibility for fan misbehaviour towards players and other attendees is complex and shaped by several legal principles – including contract law and general concepts of civil liability,” the lawyers add.
At a minimum, the firm says, event organisers and venue operators will seek to manage these risks through contractual safeguards, such as:
- Ticket terms and conditions: Entry to major sporting events, such as the Ryder Cup, is often subject to several terms and conditions. Conditions of entry should clearly outline behavioural expectations, grounds for removal, and liability disclaimers,
- Venue agreements: Contracts between event organisers and host venues will address issues relating to crowd control, player safety, and security requirements to ensure that major events can proceed in a safe environment, and
- Gameday management: Agreements between key stakeholders will often include provisions related to gameday management and crisis protocols, allowing for quick and appropriate reactions to any fan or player incidents that occur during a sporting event.
Sponsorship agreements
The William Fry lawyers add that fan misconduct can damage a sponsor’s brand goodwill, trigger negative media coverage, and negatively impact a sponsor’s investment.
They say that, to safeguard against this, sponsorship agreements will often include provisions relating to:
- Brand Placement: To ensure that there is no indirect association between a sponsor and inappropriate fan behaviour, sponsors should ensure they have adequate control over how their brand appears in crowd-facing elements of an event, particularly in high-risk fan zones,
- Governance and termination: Where necessary, sponsors should ensure that appropriate governance and termination rights are included when an event organiser allows, engages in, or is associated with an activity that is detrimental to a sponsor’s brand or reputation.
William Fry describes Ireland’s hosting of the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor as “a landmark moment for Irish sport and tourism”.
“With millions in government funding committed and 55,000 visitors expected to attend daily, the event promises significant economic and reputational benefits nationwide.
“However, the scale of the Ryder Cup brings both sporting and legal challenges, and the 2025 event highlighted how quickly legal issues can arise,” the firm’s lawyers conclude.