Ellie Goulding to Headline AIG Women’s Open Concert at Walton Heath in new step to encourage a new diverse audience

Global superstar Ellie Goulding is set to thrill fans as the headline music act in a concert performance being staged during the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath. This marks the first time live music will be featured as part of the prestigious golf championship, aimed at enhancing the fan experience and attracting new and diverse audiences to women’s golf.

Taking place on Saturday, August 12, Ellie Goulding, a BRIT Award winner and acclaimed artist, will entertain fans with her chart-topping hits following the close of play. Goulding expressed her excitement, stating, “I’m honored 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, the organizing body behind the championship, stated, “Ellie Goulding is a global superstar who will help to attract new and more diverse audiences to the AIG Women’s Open as we introduce live music at the Championship for the very first time. We and our valued partners in AIG look forward to welcoming both newcomers and regular attendees to Walton Heath this summer to enjoy a celebration of women’s golf at the very highest level.”

Ellie Goulding’s musical achievements are impressive, with 10 platinum singles, three #1 albums, two BRIT Awards, a GRAMMY Award nomination, and a Golden Globe nomination to her name. She has sold over 27 million albums and 218 million singles, amassing 43 billion streams worldwide. Goulding is also one of the most streamed female artists on Spotify, with over 8 billion streams. Additionally, with over 50 million followers combined on her social media platforms, she has earned YouTube’s Diamond Award with 10 million subscribers on her YouTube channel and over 6.8 billion views globally.

Apart from her music career, Ellie Goulding is also known for her activism and philanthropy, using her platform to engage young people with global issues. She was awarded the UN’s New Voices Award in 2017 and became a goodwill ambassador for UN Environment in recognition of her wider activism. She also recently won the TIME100 Impact Award and announced her ambassadorship with the WWF. Goulding released her highly anticipated fifth studio album, “Higher Than Heaven,” on in April 2023.

The AIG Women’s Open is not just about golf, but also about showcasing women in sport, business, and entertainment. Fans attending this year’s championship will enjoy world-class golf, live music entertainment, and a new festival fan village designed to generate a fun, vibrant, and welcoming atmosphere, supported by sponsors such as AIG, Adidas, HSBC UK, Mastercard, and NTT DATA.

The decision to introduce live music and enhance the fan experience at the AIG Women’s Open was based on 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.

In addition to Ellie Goulding’s performance, fans can expect a new festival village, designed in partnership with Populous, a global leader in fan experiences. The festival village will feature a stage managed by GQ Awards organizers Timebased Productions, hosting panel discussions with leading names from sport, business, and entertainment.

There will also be a Golf It! Zone with fun golf activities, interactive golf experiences including VR and e-sports, big screens to watch golf and other women’s sports, and a diverse food and beverage offering from street food traders.

In addition to the entertainment aspect, the AIG Women’s Open will showcase the world’s best women’s golfers competing for the prestigious major championship. The tournament has been won by legendary names in the sport, and this year’s field will include the top-50 players in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings, including current World number one Lydia Ko, World number two Nelly Korda, and American golfer Lexi Thompson. The championship promises to be a thrilling display of golf at the highest level, and the inclusion of live music and other festival experiences is expected to create a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for fans.

To make the event accessible to a wider audience, the AIG Women’s Open offers various ticket options, including adult tickets starting from £20, Saturday tickets that include a full day of golf action and entry to Ellie Goulding’s concert priced at £55, and discounted offers for weekend bundles and five-day tickets. The ‘Kids go Free’ program also continues, allowing children under 16 years old to enter the championship for free when accompanied by a paying adult, and half-price youth tickets are available for 16-24 year-olds on certain days. Hospitality packages are also available for those who want to experience the championship in a premium setting.

The inclusion of live music and entertainment at the AIG Women’s Open is a significant step towards attracting new and diverse audiences to women’s golf and enhancing the overall fan experience. With Ellie Goulding set to perform and a festival fan village offering a range of activities and experiences, the championship promises to be a unique and memorable event. The AIG Women’s Open continues to champion women in sports, business, and entertainment, and with the support of partners like AIG, Adidas, HSBC UK, Mastercard, and NTT DATA, it aims to celebrate women’s golf at the highest level and inspire the next generation of golfers and fans.

For more information on the AIG Women’s Open, including tickets and hospitality packages, visit www.aigwomensopen.com.

Don’t miss this historic event that combines world-class golf with live music and festival experiences!