Waste Management Phoenix Open fan guide 2017

One of the biggest spectacles of the year involves massive crowds, luxury cabanas and VIP areas, and a party vibe. And, it's a golf tournament.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open returns for 2017 from Monday, Jan. 30, to Sunday, Feb. 5, at the TPC Scottsdale. The tournament continues to break attendance records, last year bringing in a record 618,365 for the week. The most popular day, Saturday, saw more than 200,000 attendees. Known as the "People's Major," the Phoenix Open is a unique sporting event that also includes the Coors Light Birds Nest, which is even more a music mini-festival this year with more big-name acts.

MORE:Getting to the Waste Management Phoenix Open 2017: Parking, shuttles, party buses | Arizona Then & Now: The Phoenix Open | Phoenix Open Birds Nest concert guide: Blink-182, Jake Owen, Toby Keith

"The event as exploded over the past 30 years," said tournament chairman Andy Markham. "We have some of the best weather in the world this time of year ... and the people of Phoenix and Scottsdale just love to have a good time. The tournament gets national exposure, and people have come to know the iconic 16th hole."

Hosted by the Thunderbirds, the tournament raises money to benefit youth programs. Last year more than $9 million was given away to charity, going to organizations including the Special Olympics Arizona, Homeward Bound and Boys & Girls Clubs.

Here's a guide to what's fun and new this year.

What's new

16th hole: The infamously rowdy arena-style hole at the tournament gets an upgrade this year with 500 general admission bleacher seats being added. Seats are first-come, first-served, and they are highly coveted, so patrons are encouraged to arrive early. Ten more VIP sky boxes have also been added, bringing the capacity of the 16th to more than 16,000.

Bottled Blonde Pavilion: The popular spot in downtown Scottsdale will have a new venue on the 18th hole, a version of its sleek beer garden.

Major golfers confirmed to play: Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, J.B. Holmes, Brooks Koepka, Matt Kuchar and Patrick Reed.

Celebrities confirmed to play the Annexus Pro-Am: Actor Mark Wahlberg, Olympic gold-medal-winning swimmer Michael Phelps, Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, former pro football and baseball player Bo Jackson, and former pro baseball players Greg Maddux and Roger Clemens.

Even more Birds Nest headliners: The after-party across the tournament grounds features even more headliners this year, including Blink-182, Flo Rida, Kaskade and Toby Keith.

What type of fan are you? We'll tell you when to go

Families: Monday and Tuesday are Ford Free Days, which means anyone who comes out gets free admission. The tournament hasn't officially started yet, but there will be plenty of stuff happening. On Monday, check out the PGA practice rounds and the Pro-Am, which features four amateur players and a pro on each team.

Tuesday is also a PGA practice round, and the R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day Activities feature motivational speeches from PGA pros, a junior golf clinic and trick-shot show. The Special Olympics Open and PGA Tour Wives Classic is also happening this day. Thursday is also a good day to come with the kids because it's the first official round, and you'll be able to show your kids some exciting action when it's not too packed.

CHECK IT OUT:Take a 360-degree tour of the Phoenix Open

Celebrity-watching: Wednesday is the Annexus Pro-Am, which features four players and a pro, and many who are competing are celebrities, including Wahlberg and Phelps. The Phoenix Suns Charities Shot at Glory is a closest-to-the-pin contest pitting celebrity athletes, performers and media personalities against one other. Some celebrities will also be playing in the Special Olympics Open on Tuesday.

If you want to meet some of your favorite golfers during the tournament, come out during the practice rounds on Monday and Tuesday, when the players are more relaxed and willing to chat. Or during the tournament, find them in the practice areas. Just don't disturb them while they are in play.

Golf enthusiasts: Markham suggests Sunday as a great day for diehard golf fans, because "a lot of people will be home watching the Super Bowl, and fans can get up close during the last round that is generally really competitive," he said. Thursday is also a good day because all the players will be out competing before the field is cut.

Party atmosphere: Saturday is always the busiest and most vibrant day at the tournament. Many bars and restaurants are offering party shuttles on this day, so if you want to have some brunch, drinks and a ride with some fun tournament-goers, consider this an option. You'll find a lot of young people dressed in colorful, funky golf attire from wildly patterned pants and skirts to loud and brightly colored polo tops. If you want to get in on the 16th hole this day, you will want to arrive very early and get in line. Come later and the odds will not be in your favor. Saturday is also the "green-out," and all attendees are encouraged to wear green to support the eco-friendly efforts of the tournament.

Coors Light Birds Nest

The 21-and-older Birds Nest, which is the after-party tent across from the tournament grounds, gets even bigger this year with a festival-like atmosphere. Like last year, the Birds Nest will feature the largest tent in North America to accommodate about 9,000 people. Each night will feature not one, but two headliners.

"It's amazing the magnitude the event has become, going from four main headliners to eight, making it a true music festival," said Birds Nest chairman Dillan Micus. "We laid a lot of groundwork by getting Kid Rock out here (in 2015)...and now it's a music festival with so many different genres: country, hip-hop, Top 40 and EDM."

Out on the main patio, El Hefe will bring a mobile version of its popular Scottsdale bar complete with a DJ booth. Coors Light and Jameson Whiskey are alcohol sponsors, and the Jameson VIP area features a catered dinner, complimentary drinks and access to a newly redesigned premium viewing area for the shows.

On Wednesday, the purchase of a Birds Nest ticket also includes admission into the tournament. Tickets for several shows are already sold out, so jump on them soon.

Here's the line-up for the week:

Wednesday, Feb. 1: Jake Owen and Chase Rice.

Thursday, Feb. 2: Toby Keith and The Band Perry.

Friday, Feb. 3: Kaskade and Flo Rida.

Saturday, Feb. 4: Blink-182 and Steve Aoki.

If you go

Tournament details: Monday-Sunday, Jan. 30-Feb. 5. TPC Scottsdale, 17020 N. Hayden Road. Free Monday-Tuesday, $40 Wednesday-Sunday. Free for age 17 and younger when accompanied by an adult, and for first responders and military, register here: wmphoenixopen.com/spectator-info/military-and-emergency-services-personnel. VIP, sponsor and corporate packages available. wmphoenixopen.com.

Birds Nest details: Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 1-4. Opens at 3:30 p.m. 21 and older only. General admission starts at $50, and VIP starts at $200. Thursday night is sold out. General admission for Saturday night is sold out. Located directly across from the main tournament entrance at 82nd Street and Bell Road. coorslightbirdsnest.com.

Do bring: Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hat, binoculars. Opaque bags must be no larger than 6 inches by 6 inches by 6 inches. Collapsible chairs without chair bags are allowed. Clear totes should be no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Credit cards are accepted at will call and the concession stands. Cell phones are allowed, but must be put on silent on the tournament grounds.

Don't bring: Backpacks, oversize chairs, pets, video cameras, noisemakers, computers, weapons, food, beverages, coolers or illegal substances. See the full security policy here: wmphoenixopen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017-security-procedures.pdf.

Golf etiquette: While the Phoenix Open is unlike other golf tournaments, there are still protocols to follow. Listen to officials, security personnel and volunteers if they instruct you to do something.

No inappropriate or vulgar comments or gestures.

No harassment of players, officials, volunteers or other spectators.

No distracting or disrupting players.

No unsafe or disruptive behavior allowed.

Parking: Free public parking is located at Lot H throughout the tournament, at Loop 101 and Hayden Road. Drivers are recommended to exit Hayden Road off the Loop 101, and go south to the lot. Free shuttles will run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. There's also free parking at Westworld, Lot W, on Wednesday through Saturday. To get to this lot, exit Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, go north on Bell Road and then east on 94th Street. Free shuttles from this lot will run 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Taxis: The main taxi staging area is just east of Hayden Road and Princess Drive near lots 5 and 6, with plenty of cabs ready to take you and your group home.

Stop-N-Drop: Have a friend or designated driver dropping you off? This is the designated area for that. It's at Hayden and Bell roads next to the Expo Village. The area is accessible via Hayden Road, with no access on Bell Road.

How to watch: TV schedule

Thursday: 1 – 5 p.m., Golf Channel.

Friday: 1 – 5 p.m., Golf Channel.

Saturday: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Golf Channel; 1 – 4 p.m., Channel 5.

Sunday: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Golf Channel; 1 – 4 p.m., Channel 5.

MORE AZCENTRAL ON SOCIAL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest