The 154th Open Championship takes place from 16 to 19 July 2026 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. The oldest of golf’s four major championships returns to one of its most celebrated venues for the 11th time, with the world’s best players competing for the Claret Jug across four days of championship links golf on the Lancashire coast.
What is The Open Championship?
The Open Championship, often referred to simply as The Open, is the oldest major championship in golf, first contested in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. Organised by The R&A, it is the only major held outside the United States and rotates between a select group of links courses in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The championship is open to both professional and amateur golfers who meet the qualifying criteria, which include recent major winners, top performers on the world’s leading tours, and players who come through regional and final qualifying events. The field typically comprises 156 players competing over 72 holes of stroke play from Thursday to Sunday, with a cut after 36 holes.
The winner receives the Golf Champion Trophy, universally known as the Claret Jug, which has been awarded since 1872 and is one of the most iconic trophies in world sport. The champion is bestowed the title “Champion Golfer of the Year.”
When is The Open Championship?
The 154th Open runs across a full week at Royal Birkdale with the following schedule:
- Sunday 12 July to Wednesday 15 July: Practice days (open to ticket holders)
- Thursday 16 July: Round 1
- Friday 17 July: Round 2
- Saturday 18 July: Round 3
- Sunday 19 July: Final round
The cut is applied after 36 holes, with the top 70 players and ties progressing to the weekend. In the event of a tie after 72 holes, a three-hole aggregate playoff is used to determine the champion.
Where is The Open Championship?
Royal Birkdale Golf Club is situated in Southport, Merseyside, on the north-west coast of England. Founded in 1889, the club was granted Royal status in 1951 and hosted its first Open Championship in 1954. It has since become one of the most regular venues on The Open rota, second only to St Andrews in frequency of hosting.
The Dunluce Links at Royal Birkdale is a par-70 course running through towering sand dunes, with fairways set in natural valleys between the dune ridges. The course’s signature willow scrub rough is punishing, and the small, fast greens demand precision. Recent course improvements have updated the par-3 holes, bunkers, tees, and pathways throughout.
Royal Birkdale has produced some of The Open’s most memorable moments. Past champions at the venue include Peter Thomson, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Ian Baker-Finch, Mark O’Meara, Padraig Harrington, and Jordan Spieth. Southport is accessible by rail from Liverpool (approximately 45 minutes) and Manchester (around 90 minutes), with Liverpool John Lennon Airport the nearest major airport.
Key Contenders
Scottie Scheffler is the defending Champion Golfer of the Year after his dominant victory at Royal Portrush in 2025, where he carded 17 under par to win by four strokes. That triumph gave him his fourth major title and completed the third leg of a career Grand Slam, joining Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods as the only players to win The Masters, the PGA Championship, and The Open before the age of 30. He enters Royal Birkdale as the clear favourite.
Rory McIlroy won The Open at Royal Liverpool in 2014 and has consistently contended in this championship. As one of the most accomplished links golfers of his generation, the Northern Irishman will be determined to add a second Claret Jug to his collection. His ability to shape the ball in windy conditions makes him a perpetual threat at Open venues.
Xander Schauffele, the 2024 Open runner-up, brings strong recent form to Birkdale, while Bryson DeChambeau’s power-based approach has adapted increasingly well to links golf. Jon Rahm, a former US Open champion, and Collin Morikawa, who won The Open at Royal St George’s in 2021, both have the pedigree to challenge on this course. Ludvig Aberg and Tommy Fleetwood, the latter a Southport native, will be among the most closely watched contenders on home turf.
How to Watch The Open Championship
The Open Championship is broadcast to more than 199 countries and territories worldwide through over 30 broadcast partners:
- United Kingdom and Ireland: Sky Sports provides comprehensive live coverage of all four championship rounds, with additional programming including highlights and analysis.
- United States: NBC and Golf Channel share live coverage, with streaming available on Peacock. USA Network may also carry early-round coverage.
- Australia: Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.
- Canada: TSN.
- Global streaming: The R&A’s own platform, R&A TV, offers free live streams including featured groups, a dedicated par-3 holes channel, and Live at the Range coverage.
The Open Radio provides free live audio coverage through The Open website and app throughout all four championship days.
History and Records
The Open Championship was first played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club, making it the oldest of golf’s four major championships. Willie Park Sr. won the inaugural event. The championship was initially played over 36 holes in a single day before expanding to its current 72-hole format.
Harry Vardon holds the record for the most Open victories with six titles, won between 1896 and 1914. Tom Morris Jr. remains the youngest champion, winning at the age of 17 in 1868, and also holds the record for most consecutive victories with four (1868 to 1872). The oldest champion is Tom Morris Sr., who won in 1867 at the age of 46.
At Royal Birkdale specifically, some of the championship’s most iconic moments have unfolded. Arnold Palmer’s victory in 1961 is widely credited with reviving American interest in The Open. In 2017, Jordan Spieth produced a remarkable final round, recovering from a wayward drive on the 13th hole by playing his approach from a practice ground to eventually win by three strokes from Matt Kuchar.
The lowest 72-hole score in Open Championship history is 264, set by Cameron Smith at Royal Liverpool in 2023. The single-round record is 63, achieved by multiple players across various venues.
Tickets and Attendance
General admission tickets for the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale have sold out across all four championship days. Fans can still attend through Ticket Plus packages, hospitality experiences, or ticket-inclusive accommodation packages available at theopen.com.
Hospitality options range from the Signature experience (from GBP 2,145 excluding VAT per person), which offers access to Clarets overlooking the 17th green, to Platinum hospitality packages that include access to Dunes House, The Retreat beside the 7th green, priority course entry, and dedicated parking. For enquiries, contact The Open Experiences at [email protected] or call +44 (0) 1334 460090.
The Open at Royal Birkdale regularly attracts crowds in excess of 200,000 across the championship week. The 2025 edition at Royal Portrush set an attendance record of 278,000 for an Open held outside St Andrews.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does The Open Championship start?
Championship play begins on Thursday 16 July 2026. Practice days run from Sunday 12 July to Wednesday 15 July.
Where is The Open Championship being held?
The 154th Open is at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, Merseyside, on the north-west coast of England.
How can I watch The Open Championship?
In the UK, Sky Sports provides full live coverage. In the US, NBC, Golf Channel, and Peacock carry the broadcast. Globally, R&A TV offers free live streams including featured groups. The Open Radio provides free audio coverage worldwide.
Who won The Open Championship last year?
Scottie Scheffler won the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, finishing at 17 under par, four strokes clear of Harris English, for his fourth major title.
Are tickets still available?
General admission tickets for all championship days have sold out. Hospitality packages and ticket-inclusive accommodation deals remain available through theopen.com.