The 154th
Open Championship
Golf's oldest major returns to Royal Birkdale. Your complete guide to tickets, accommodation, transport, and everything else you need to know.
Accommodation is almost gone. If you haven't booked, do it today.
About the Course
Royal Birkdale: One of the World's Great Links Courses
Royal Birkdale Golf Club sits in the sand dunes of Southport, Merseyside — less than two miles from the town centre. Founded in 1889 and awarded its Royal charter in 1951, it is consistently ranked among the finest links courses on the planet, and has hosted The Open Championship more times than almost any other venue.
What makes Birkdale distinctive is its layout. Unlike many links courses, the fairways run through the valleys between the dunes rather than over the tops of them. The result is a course where the wind matters enormously, natural hollows shape every shot, and the rough — thick, punishing willow scrub — demands precision from the first tee to the 72nd hole.
In 2026, 250,000 spectators are expected across the week. The world's best players will be here. And for those of us who live nearby, it is genuinely extraordinary to have this on our doorstep.
10th
Time hosting The Open
1889
Year founded
250,000+
Spectators expected
18
Championship holes
6,992
Yards (par 70)
2 miles
From Southport centre
Key Dates — July 2026
Mon 13 Jul
Practice Day 1
Open to spectators. Best day to walk the course and get close to players.
Tue 14 Jul
Practice Day 2
Celebrity Pro-Am in the afternoon. Relaxed atmosphere, shorter queues.
Wed 15 Jul
Practice Day 3
Final practice. Players finalise game plans. Worth attending for access.
Thu 16 Jul
Round 1
Championship begins. Get in early — the crowd builds fast after midday.
Fri 17 Jul
Round 2
Cut day. Drama on every hole. Afternoon is peak atmosphere.
Sat 18 Jul
Round 3 — Moving Day
The leaderboard reshapes. One of the best days in all of sport.
Sun 19 Jul
Final Round
Champion crowned. Arrive early and don't plan anything for the evening.
Terry's tip: If you can only go once and budget allows, go Saturday. Round 3 — Moving Day — is when the Open truly comes alive. The leaderboard reshapes, pressure builds, and you get atmosphere that doesn't exist anywhere else in sport. If championship tickets are gone, a practice round (Monday–Wednesday) is genuinely excellent value. You can walk the entire course, watch players up close, and experience Royal Birkdale without the championship-day scrum.
Know Before You Go
Spectator Guide
✅ What to Bring
- →Waterproofs — It is Lancashire in July. It will rain. Bring a proper jacket, not an umbrella (large ones are restricted).
- →Comfortable walking shoes — You will walk several miles. Wellies if wet, trainers if dry. Nothing that will blister.
- →Binoculars — The course is large. Binoculars transform your experience, particularly on the par-5 holes.
- →Cash — Some hospitality areas and outside vendors are cash-only.
- →Small soft bag — Clear or soft-sided bags are permitted. Hard-sided cases are not.
- →Sunscreen — July can be warm. Southport is more exposed than you expect.
- →Snacks — Food on site is expensive. A sealed water bottle and some food is allowed.
❌ What's Not Allowed
- ✕Selfie sticks or tripods of any kind
- ✕Drones or remote-controlled devices
- ✕Large or golf umbrellas (small clear ones may be permitted)
- ✕Glass containers of any kind
- ✕Commercial signage, flags, or banners
- ✕Buggies, scooters, or wheeled vehicles (without accessibility exemption)
- ✕Pets (assistance dogs only)
Always verify the current restricted items list at theopen.com before attending — rules can change between championships.
🎟️ Tickets
| Day type | Approx. price | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Practice rounds (Mon–Wed) | £30–50 | More available |
| Round 1–2 (Thu–Fri) | £60–100 | Limited |
| Round 3–4 (Sat–Sun) | £80–120+ | Selling fast |
🚆 Getting There
- →Don't drive to the course Road closures and no public parking near the club. This is non-negotiable.
- →Merseyrail to Birkdale Trains from Liverpool Central via Southport line. Birkdale station is a 10–15 min walk from the course.
- →Park & Ride Operating from multiple Southport sites. Shuttle buses run directly to the course entrance.
- →Taxi from town Southport town centre to Royal Birkdale: approximately 10 minutes, £8–12.
Past Champions at Royal Birkdale
| Year | Champion | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Jordan Spieth | 🇺🇸 USA |
| 2008 | Padraig Harrington | 🇮🇪 Ireland |
| 1998 | Mark O'Meara | 🇺🇸 USA |
| 1991 | Ian Baker-Finch | 🇦🇺 Australia |
| 1983 | Tom Watson | 🇺🇸 USA |
| 1976 | Johnny Miller | 🇺🇸 USA |
| 1971 | Lee Trevino | 🇺🇸 USA |
| 1965 | Peter Thomson | 🇦🇺 Australia |
| 1961 | Arnold Palmer | 🇺🇸 USA |
| 1954 | Peter Thomson | 🇦🇺 Australia |
| 2026 | To be decided… | Will you be there? |
Royal Birkdale has hosted ten Open Championships since 1954, producing some of the most iconic moments in golf history — Arnold Palmer's raw power in 1961, Lee Trevino's brilliance in 1971, Tom Watson's artistry in 1983, and Jordan Spieth's dramatic come-from-behind victory in 2017. The 2026 champion joins that list. History is made here.
⚠️ Urgent
Book Accommodation Now
The Open brings 250,000 spectators to Southport over seven days. Hotels in Birkdale and the town centre were significantly booked up within weeks of the fixture being confirmed. If you haven't booked yet, act immediately. Self-catering properties and B&Bs in Formby and Ormskirk may still have availability.
Birkdale village
Walking distance to course
Almost gone
Southport town
10 min drive / shuttle
Limited
Formby / Ormskirk
20–30 min drive
Check now
Common Questions
Everything You Need to Know About The Open 2026
How do I get to Royal Birkdale for The Open 2026?
Do not drive to the course — road closures around Birkdale make it impractical and parking near the club is reserved for accredited officials only. The best options are Merseyrail from Southport or Liverpool to Birkdale station (10–15 minute walk from the course), or park and ride buses operating from designated sites across Southport. Full transport details are published by The R&A at theopen.com closer to the event.
Where should I stay for The Open Championship 2026?
Accommodation in and around Southport is almost fully booked for Open week. If you haven't booked yet, check Birkdale village first (walking distance to the course), then Southport town centre (shuttle bus access). Formby and Ormskirk are viable fallback options, 20–30 minutes away. See our full accommodation guide.
Can I buy tickets for The Open 2026 on the gate?
No. The Open Championship is a ticketed event — you cannot purchase on the gate on championship round days (Thursday–Sunday). Practice round tickets (Monday–Wednesday) are sold in advance through theopen.com and are more widely available. Championship round tickets frequently sell out months in advance. Buy as early as possible.
What is the difference between practice round and championship round tickets?
Practice round tickets (Mon–Wed, 13–15 July) are significantly cheaper — typically £30–50 per day — and offer excellent player access. You can walk close to the fairways and watch players up close without the championship-day crowds. Championship tickets (Thu–Sun) are more expensive, starting from around £60–100 per day, but deliver the full competitive atmosphere.
What can I bring to The Open Championship?
Binoculars, waterproofs (essential — it is Lancashire in July), comfortable walking shoes, a small soft-sided bag or backpack, sunscreen, and cash. Banned items include selfie sticks, tripods, large umbrellas (small clear ones are permitted), drones, commercial signage, and glass containers. Check the full restricted items list at theopen.com.
How far is Royal Birkdale from Southport town centre?
Approximately 2 miles, or a 5–10 minute drive/taxi. Birkdale village, which sits right next to the club, is about 1.5 miles from the Lord Street shopping area. Birkdale train station is a 10–15 minute walk from the course entrance.
What is the best day to attend The Open if I can only go once?
Saturday (Round 3 — Moving Day) is widely regarded as the best single day at any Open. The leaderboard changes shape, the pressure builds, and the atmosphere is electric. If Saturday is sold out, Friday afternoon offers similar drama as players fight to make the cut.
Will restaurants and pubs in Southport be busy during Open week?
Yes — extremely busy. Book restaurants in advance, particularly in Birkdale village and along Lord Street. Evening bookings from Thursday onwards are the hardest to secure. See our restaurants guide for the best options, and book now.
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For Businesses
Reach 250,000 Open Visitors
Hotels, restaurants, transport companies, and attractions — feature your business on SouthportGuide during The Open week. Limited placements available. Championship packages start from £199.