Everything you need to know about The 154th Open Golf Championship 2026

We’re just days away from watching the world’s top golfers teeing off for The 154^th Open Golf Championship.

And all eyes will be on Merseyside as one of sport’s most famous tournaments gets underway. 

You might be one of the lucky ones with a ticket, or you could be planning to watch from the comfort of your own home, but as the countdown begins here’s everything you need to know… 

When is The Open Golf Championship?

The 154th Open will be held from July 12 to 19, with new practice days running from Sunday, July 12 to Wednesday, July 15, followed by the Championship proper from Thursday, July 16 to Sunday, July 19.

Where will it be held?

The Championship will be played on the golden links of the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport.

What time do gates open?

Times vary – but here they all are in full:

Sunday, July 12 – 9am

Monday, July 13 – 7am

Tuesday, July 14- 7am

Wednesday, July 15- 7am

Thursday, July 16- 6am

Friday, July 17- 6am

Saturday, July 18- 7am

Sunday, July 19- 7am

Are there any famous faces to look out for?

Out of a field of 156 players, there’ll be players missing like Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson, but there’ll still be plenty of well-known and exciting players to catch like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Jordan Spieth, Padraig Harrington, and reigning Open champion Scottie Scheffler.

New for this year

In addition to the four Championship days this year also sees four new bespoke Practice Days fans can attend – each with their own unique offering.

Sunday is opening day with a celebration of summer and sport Open-style, where you can be the first to experience and explore the spectacular course at Royal Birkdale and enjoy world-class sport with a fan zone atmosphere, including Men’s Finals Day at Wimbledon and the Genesis Scottish Open final day.

Monday is The Dream and you can watch a dramatic 12-player contest that sees the final place at The 154th Open determined.

On Tuesday Jordan Spieth and Padraig Harrington are among the star names taking part in the Heroes Classic, an exciting new showcase event where select Champion Golfers and special guests take part in a short-format challenge, putting their talents to the test.

And, on Wednesday, spectators can view the final day of preparation and enjoy extra activities in the spectator village, including the broadcast of an Open Preview Show, as excitement builds ahead of the opening tee shot – and four days of world class golf.

What does the winner of The Open receive?

The winner of The Open is presented with The Claret Jug. Open champion in 1860, Willie Park Sr, was given the Challenge Belt, made from red leather with silver buckles and emblems. Three consecutive wins by a player entitled him to keep it, which meant Young Tom Morris, winner in 1868, 1869 and 1870, became its owner. The following year there was no competition – because there was no trophy to present! 

When agreement was reached in 1872 to resume The Open, the Challenge Belt’s was to be replaced with a silver claret jug, but it wasn’t finished when Young Tom Morris won again. It was 1873 champion Tom Kidd who became the first golfer to actually receive the jug, although Tom’s name was the first to be engraved on it.

Can I still get a ticket to The Open?

General Admission tickets are sold out across all Championship days, but you can still be part of The Open through hospitality packages or by securing a ticket-inclusive accommodation package.

There are also advanced Ticket Plus” options. These are sold out on Friday and Sunday, but you can join the waiting list by emailing experiences@TheOpen.com.

Fans can purchase tickets for the practice days which are taking place from Sunday, July 12 to Wednesday, July 15. Sunday is sold out, but there are still tickets available from Monday to Wednesday, starting at £40 per Adult, £20 per Youth, and free for Juniors.

Find out more here.

How do I get to Royal Birkdale?

With hundreds of thousands of people expected to attend, spectators are being asked to use public transport to minimise road traffic congestion, and those staying in the area are being asked to consider walking or cycling there. 

By rail

Merseyrail will be running a 10-minute service between Liverpool, Southport and Hillside – the nearest station to Royal Birkdale – between July 16-19 at the busiest times before and after the golf. Outside these times frequencies vary.

Northern Rail provides rail services across the North of England. Fans can travel on Northern Rail services to key interchange stations including Manchester Victoria and Wigan Wallgate and from these there are direct services to Southport. From Southport, fans are encouraged to use Merseyrail’s Tap & Go system, which will automatically charge the best value fare for your onward journey to Hillside.

From the South – Many rail providers operate services to Liverpool Lime Street, which is just 400m (approx. 5min walk) from Liverpool Central, where you can join Merseyrail services to Hillside Station. Again, from Liverpool Central, fans should use Merseyrail’s Tap & Go system, which will automatically charge the best value fare to Hillside.

From overseas via Liverpool John Lennon Airport – Frequent bus services run between the Airport and Liverpool South Parkway station. From Liverpool South Parkway, join the Merseyrail network and change at Liverpool Central for services to Hillside station.

By bus

Arriva and Stagecoach operate bus services in Sefton: the two main services that drop off and pick-up close to the course are the X2 (Stagecoach) and 47 (Arriva). 

By car

Fans are advised to turn off satellite navigation systems and follow the signs to ensure the smoothest journey to and from The Open. 

From the North (Lancashire, Cumbria, North East England and Scotland)

Follow the M6 southbound towards Preston. Exit the M6 at Junction 32 onto the M55 Preston Northern Bypass. Exit at Junction 2 onto the A582 taking a left onto the A583 Riversway. Follow signs for the A59 and remain on the A59 / A565 towards Southport. On approach to Southport, follow signs for The Open Park & Ride.

From the East / South East (Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Midlands & South of England)

Follow the M6 northbound and exit at Junction 26 to travel west on the M58. Exit at Junction 3 to travel north on the A570 Ormskirk Road and follow signs for The Open Park & Ride.

From the South (South Sefton, Liverpool, Wirral & Wales)

Follow the M53 to Liverpool via the A59 Wallasey Tunnel to join the A565 towards Southport. On approach to Formby, follow signs for The Open Park & Ride.

The Open Travel Assistant

To support fans and make journeys easier, The Open Travel Assistant’s been developed to provide personalised travel plans. Just enter where you will be travelling from, select your preferred arrival or departure time and the travel assistant will calculate all your available journey options. Live updates will keep track of any changes on the day of travel.

Where can I park?

There’s no public car parking at Royal Birkdale or in the immediate surrounding area. All public parking will be located at The Open Park & Ride facilities, where dedicated buses will be available to transport spectators to the course.

Spectators choosing to travel to the event by car or motorcycle will be directed to The Open Park & Ride sites by Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) and black and yellow AA event signs.

Overnight parking is not permitted at The Open Park & Ride facilities.

If you’re going by bike

Free bicycle parking will be available near the main entrance to The Open for those wanting to cycle to the venue. For more information on the cycle network around Birkdale visit the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust. On approach to Royal Birkdale Golf Club, follow Open branded signs to the Bicycle Park.

Find out more here.

Where can I eat near Royal Birkdale?

Whether you’re after a relaxed brunch, a fine dining experience, or a lively evening with cocktails and live music, there are plenty of places to choose from and, with the beach and pinewoods nearby, you can pair your meal with a scenic stroll, making it an ideal spot for a laid-back day out or a memorable night. Merseyrail has even come up with a few examples to get your search on the right track.

Ainsdale

Dukes Wine Bar & Bistro 

Dukes Wine Bar & Bistro offers quality wines and carefully curated small plates, and it’s just a 2-minute walk from Ainsdale station.

Tipple Bar 

A modern cocktail bar and eatery, it’s known for its relaxed vibe, serving everything from breakfast and freshly made sandwiches to expertly crafted cocktails. Located just a 3-minute walk from Ainsdale station.

The Spitfire Pub & Kitchen

The Spitfire Pub & Kitchen offers classic British comfort food in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Signature dishes include the Spitfire burger and traditional Sunday roasts, and it’s just a 10-minute walk from Ainsdale station.

The Golden Monkey

The Golden Monkey is known for its craft beers and cocktails, and it’s only a 5-minute walk from Ainsdale station. Its sunny outdoor seating makes it a perfect place to unwind and enjoy the sunshine.

Dolce Vita 

A 5-minute walk from Ainsdale station, Dolce Vita’s a cosy family-run restaurant known for its authentic Italian charm. It’s a popular choice for its friendly service, generous portions and delicious food.

Birkdale

Café Bar N’Ista

Close to Birkdale station is Café Bar N’Ista with delicious dishes from its Mediterranean-inspired menu. A favourite for tapas, sharing plates and drinks with friends, it also has a spacious outdoor seating area. 

Birkers Bar & Grill

Birkers Bar & Grill is a lively and welcoming venue by Birkdale Station. It serves a range of pub classics alongside drinks and regular live music.

Coast Birkdale

Coast Birkdale offers an upscale yet relaxed dining experience, making it a popular choice for everything from date nights to family meals. Known for its atmosphere and quality food and drink menu.

Barrique

Barrique Birkdale is a stylish and intimate wine bar that’s become a firm favourite in the heart of the village, renowned for its extensive wine list, warm and welcoming atmosphere, and regular live music.

Bistrot Vérité

Bistrot Vérité is an award-winning fine dining restaurant renowned for its elegant French and European-inspired cuisine. Featuring seasonal menus with high-quality ingredients, the restaurant offers an intimate and sophisticated setting – and it’s only a one-minute walk from the station!

Find out more about The British Open Golf Championship here.

Find more events across Southport on our calendar.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.