Overview
- At Augusta National this week, the Masters garden gnome is selling out fast as patrons queue early under new 6 a.m. parking rules and face merch lines that can stretch to about 90 minutes.
- The gnome costs $49.50, is limited to one per patron, and is only sold in on-site shops during the tournament, which keeps supply tight and access restricted to attendees.
- Resale prices jump within hours, with a local dealer offering about $250 for the 2026 gnome, antique shops listing recent years at $1,500 to $3,000, and a first-year 2016 model drawing a bid near $6,000.
- Augusta National chairman Fred S. Ridley said he does not know whether the gnome will return in future years, leaving talk that 2026 could be the last run as unconfirmed speculation.
- Collector appeal grows with yearly design changes, including a 2026 version that carries a working umbrella, and early editions have reached five figures at auction, including a 2016 sale above $10,000.