The Masters gnome is a limited-edition ceramic collectible sold at Augusta National during the Masters tournament, standing 13.5 inches tall. According to multiple reports, the 2026 edition gnome holds a Masters-stamped coffee cup and a green-and-white umbrella that can be pushed up and down. It retails for $49.50, approximately £37-£37.39, but has high resale value, with the 2026 edition listed for up to $2,200 (£870) on second-hand sites. A complete gnome collection from 2016-2025 is listed for $40,000 (£30,215) on eBay, according to major media.
Major media reports indicate the gnome was first introduced in 2016 as a gift to hospitality grandees. It became available for sale in merchandise stores in 2018, and a new variation of the gnome is released each year for the Masters. This annual release pattern has fueled collector interest and driven demand.
Number one, the question is not trivial. Number two: I've been asking that question for several years and they won't tell me the answer. So I can't help you.
Approximately 1,000 gnomes are available for sale per day during tournament week, split between the North and South shops, according to multiple reports. Patrons are permitted to purchase only one gnome per person. A merchandise employee said the gnome sells out within an hour of store opening, highlighting the strict purchase restrictions and limited daily supply that lead to rapid sellouts.
Extreme patron demand has resulted in queueing behavior, with major media reporting that patrons have camped at the gates from 3:30 am to queue for the merchandise stores. Lines for merchandise stores can have waits up to 90 minutes, according to major media, reflecting the early morning arrivals and long waits that characterize the gnome rush.
I want to be clear that our position is grounded on much more than protecting the Augusta National golf course. We will continue to make modifications as are necessary to react to driving distances that in some cases exceed 350 yards. Unfortunately, many courses, including some iconic venues, do not have that option. Until recent years golf has been a game of imagination, creativity, and variety. The game has become much more one-dimensional. My feeling on this subject is that failure is not an option. I think we need to continue to work together to come to some agreement.
Crowd management challenges have prompted official responses, with major media reporting that Augusta National closed the gift shop line due to overcrowding from patrons seeking gnomes. A security officer urged patrons in the queue that they do not need a gnome and should enjoy the course atmosphere, according to major media. These actions address gnome-related congestion but leave open what specific measures, if any, Augusta National is considering to manage merchandise store crowds and improve spectator experience.
The future of gnome sales is uncertain, with rumors spreading that 2026 could be the last year for gnome sales, according to multiple reports. Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley says he does not know the future of the gnome, as they will not tell him. According to Ridley, the question is not trivial, and he has been asking it for several years without getting an answer. It remains unclear who they are that Ridley refers to, what the official reason is for potentially phasing out the gnomes after 2026, and whether there are any confirmed plans or timelines for changes to the gnome sales policy after the 2026 tournament.
In broader Masters tournament context, approximately 40,000 patrons attend the Masters, according to major media. Food and beverage prices at the 2026 Masters are low, with sandwiches starting at $1.50 and no significant increases from 2016, major media reports. The Masters bans spectators from bringing phones onto the grounds, with media only allowed in the press centre, according to major media.
On an additional Augusta National policy matter unrelated to gnomes, Fred Ridley maintains Augusta's position on a potential golf ball rollback to address driving distances. According to Ridley, Augusta's position is grounded on more than protecting the Augusta National golf course, and they will continue to make modifications as necessary to react to driving distances that in some cases exceed 350 yards. He noted that many courses do not have that option, and the game has become more one-dimensional, requiring continued work to reach an agreement.