The course: Built in 1998 by the late Pete Dye, Whistling Straits emulates a cliffside links course with two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, bluffs, sand dunes and natural fescue lining the fairways. It’s hosted the PGA Championship three times, most recently in 2015.

Format: Four matches of fourballs (better ball) and foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday and Saturday, 12 singles matches on Sunday.

Points: Europe needs 14 points to retain the cup. The United States needs 14½ points to win the cup.

All-time series: United States leads 26-14-2.

U.S. vs. Europe (from 1979): Europe leads, 11-8-1.

Last time: Europe won on home soil for the sixth straight time, losing only the opening session. The result was 17½-10½, and the difference was the captain’s picks. Europe’s four picks combined to go 9-4-1. The U.S. picks were 2-10-0 as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau combined to go 0-9-0.

Captains: Padraig Harrington (Europe), Steve Stricker (United States).

Tale of the tape: Team Europe has an average world ranking of 30. Team USA’s average ranking is 9.

Key statistic: The 12 players for Europe have combined to play in 168 matches compared with 49 matches for the American players.

Noteworthy: The Americans have the most Ryder Cup rookies (6) since 2008 and its youngest team ever with an average age of 29.

Commitment to health: All attendees will be required to wear face coverings while indoors, unless actively eating and drinking. Face coverings are strongly recommended for all attendees while outdoors.

Re-admission policy: There will be no daily re-entry to the grounds. If you leave the grounds, you must have an unscanned ticket/credential to return.

The only exception is when the Weather Warning signs have been posted.

Junior admission policy: Kids 17 years of age and younger receive free admittance onto the grounds when accompanied by a ticketed adult on Practice Days, Tuesday through Thursday, regardless of event sell-out. There is a maximum of two free juniors per ticketed adult. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday each junior must have a paid ticket to enter the grounds.

Military admission policy: To honor those who serve the country in the United States Armed Forces, the Ryder Cup is offering Active Duty, Military Retirees*, Active Reserve, National Guard and their accompanying spouse/partner complimentary grounds tickets during Practice Days, regardless of event sell-out.

Complimentary military tickets do not gain access into private hospitality areas or the International Pavilion, but are eligible for the junior policy.

Tickets will be picked up at the Admissions Office onsite at the Ryder Cup main entrance on the day of admission.

Military ID and photo ID required for pickup.

(*Career-retired with twenty years of qualifying military service and Department of Defense ID)

Photo policy: Cameras are only allowed on-site at Whistling Straits during Practice Days, Tuesday through Thursday, and are not permitted on-site during Match Days, Friday through Sunday. Please consult the Mobile Device Policy for guidelines regarding mobile device photo, audio and video capturing while on-course.

Methods of payment: The following methods of payment are accepted onsite, identified by location. The Ryder Cup will be a cashless environment. The following are acceptable methods of pay on-site at Whistling Straits during the event.

The Ryder Cup Shops: American Express, MasterCard, VISA, Discover Card

Concession and Beverage Stands: American Express, MasterCard, VISA, Discover Card, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

General parking: Free parking will be available in two locations, General Public North and General Public South.

General North: North of Whistling Straits Golf Course. Complimentary shuttle service from the lot will be provided to and from the main entrance at Whistling Straits.

General South: South of Whistling Straits. The lot is within walking distance to the main entrance.

There will be no overnight parking in any lots, and any vehicles left overnight will be towed at the owner’s expense.

The Ryder Cup Shops: The 60,000 square-foot Ryder Cup Shops merchandise venue is located near the Dye Plaza along the spectator walkway. This merchandise shopping experience offers men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel and headwear. It also offers a major selection of exclusive accessories, gifts and memorabilia.

All on-site transactions will be cashless.

No cash will be accepted.

The hours are Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday-Saturday. 6 a.m.–6:45 p.m.; Sunday, 7:30 a.m.-6:45 p.m.