Fans attending The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.

Royal Birkdale | 12-19 July 2026

SPECTATOR ADVICE

The 154th Open

Experience all the drama and excitement of The 154th Open as the world's best players face the unrelenting challenge of links golf to become the Champion Golfer of the Year. We promise a celebration of golf, bringing together fans of all ages.

A grandstand at Royal Birkdale during The 146th Open in 2017.

Eat & Drink at The Open

The Open offers a wide variety of sustainable, locally sourced, and healthy food options at on-course catering facilities and in the Spectator Village.

Choose from hot and cold food, beverages, and handcrafted coffee at our fully accessible outlets. You can enjoy a variety of options from fish & chips, noodles, and dumplings to Greek street food.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, including gluten-free beer and non-alcoholic beverages, are also available.

Don't forget your refillable bottle for our water stations. Please note, the site is cashless.

Enjoy sustainable food and drink at The Open

Explore The Open Shop

Step inside the epicentre of the spectator experience at The 154th Open, The Open Shop. A world-class retail experience celebrating the spirit and style of golfs original Championship.

From the moment you arrive at Royal Birkdale, you’ll find a one-of-a-kind shopping destination designed to immerse fans in The Open brand.

Explore exclusive collections from The Open and leading brands including BOSS, adidas and Peter Millar, featuring premium lifestyle apparel, outerwear, headwear and accessories. Every piece is designed to capture the spirit of The Open and help prepare you for the elements of links golf.

Make your visit effortless with our enhanced services:

Shop & Store: Leave your purchases in our complimentary bag store until the end of your day.

Ship It Home: Send your items directly with our Official Supplier, UPS.

Personalisation Station: Add bespoke touches to make your new gear truly one of a kind.

Can’t wait until Royal Birkdale? Start shopping today and explore the latest online collections all year round.

Shop The Open online

The Open Shop during The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.

The Open Shop

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Grandstands

There will be thousands of public seats located around the course including grandstands around the 1st hole & 18th green. Seating will also be available at the Practice Ground for spectators to sit and enjoy the world’s best prepare for action.

Spectator Village

With a number of food and beverage offers, a dedicated kids play area, and giant TV screens, there is no need to miss any of the golf.

Large Screens

Keep up-to-date with all the action through one of the many electronic leader boards situated around the course. Or relax and watch the day unfold on the large video screens located in the Spectator Village area.

Jordan Spieth hits a shot into the 18th green at Royal Birkdale during The 146th Open in 2017.

Timeline

Day	Gate Opens	Hours of Play	First service from P&R to the course	Last service from the course to P&R
Sunday 12 July	9am	Throughout the day	8am	8pm
Monday 13 July	7am	Throughout the day	6:45am	8pm
Tuesday 14 July	7am	Throughout the day	6:45am	8pm
Wednesday 15 July	7am	Throughout the day	6:45am	8pm
Thursday 16 July	6am	6:35am-8:30pm estimated	5:45am	10pm
Friday 17 July	6am	6:35am-8:30pm estimated	5:45am	10pm
Saturday 18 July	7am	8am-7pm estimated	6:45am	9pm
Sunday 19 July	7am	8am-7pm estimated	6:45am	9pm

All timings are subject to change and are provided as an estimate. More accurate timings will be confirmed during Championship week.

Re-admission to the venue

All attendees will be able to leave the venue and return on the same day if desired. When exiting the course, all attendees wishing to re-enter the venue later that day, must ensure that they collect a wristband when leaving the venue. If you are unable to display a valid wristband and your digital ticket on The Open Tickets App upon return to the venue, you will not be permitted re-entry to the event.

Fans watching The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale in 2017.

Accessibility

The Open is committed to providing a high standard of accessible facilities for all visitors and spectators.

More information on the provisions available can be found here.

Apps

The App is available all year round and is updated with the latest news, images and video. The Open’s official app provides the ultimate way to enjoy The Open while on the go to ensure you never miss a shot.

A complimentary WiFi network will be available across the course in grandstands and in the Spectator Village.

Download The Open App from the App Store

Download The Open App from Google Play

Brooks Koepka with Butch Harmon during The 147th Open at Carnoustie.

Prohibited Items

Ladders (including step ladders), boxes, crates (including folding crates), periscopes, selfie sticks and other similar items used to achieve an elevated viewing position.
Lawn or oversized chairs, folding chairs (with the exception of single stem shooting sticks), or any similar seating item deemed inappropriate by The R&A (or authorised person).
Items which, in the opinion of The R&A (or any authorised person), could be used as a weapon including firearms, knives, corkscrews and personal protection sprays.
Pyrotechnic devices including fireworks, explosives, smoke canisters, flares, laser pointers or similar items.
Noise producing devices including air horns, portable speakers, PA systems, megaphones or similar items used for amplification or broadcast.
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including drones, model aircraft, kites or similar airborne crafts/items.
Bicycles (unless authorised by The R&A), skateboards, skates and other ride-on equipment, except those required to be used as mobility aids by registered persons with mobility impairment. Bicycles must be secured in the designated Bicycle Parking areas.
Promotional, commercial, political, religious or items deemed offensive of whatever nature, including but not limited to clothing, banners, signs, symbols and leaflets used for ambush marketing or other similar unauthorised promotional purposes.
Still photography of play is permitted provided that it does not disrupt play and images are not used for any commercial purpose. Video recording is prohibited at any time.
All bags may be subject to search on entry to the venue or elsewhere within the venue on request by security contractors authorised by The R&A. Oversized bags deemed inappropriate by The R&A (and/or authorised R&A security contractors) will not be admitted. Failure to comply with a request to search may lead to a guest's removal from the venue on the grounds of safety. The R&A will provide a left-luggage facility for the storage of searched bags.
Pets except for service animals.
Alcoholic beverages or glass bottles.

FAQs

Yes, you can bring your own food and drink but alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Alcohol can be purchased at various public catering sites within the venue.

Yes you can. However, please be aware of the uneven terrain.

Yes, re-admission will be permitted. Ticket holders will only be permitted to re-enter The Open on the same day as long as they present the following on re-entry i) a ticket valid for that day’s play, and ii) an official, untampered, re-entry wristband that must be collected from the exit gate when initially leaving The Open. Spectators will not be able to enter The Open with a ticket that has already been used that day without an accompanying official and untampered re-entry wristband.

There is no dress code in public areas. Clothing and footwear suitable for the weather conditions should be worn.

Dogs are not permitted into the course, with the exception of Guide Dogs.

Small bags/rucksacks will be accepted into the event, but may be subject to security searches. Oversized bags will not be permitted within the venue.

Spectators are welcome to bring mobile devices to The Open but a policy is in place to ensure that play is not disrupted. Please keep all devices in SILENT mode at all times. Photography of play is not permitted on Championship Days. Filming of play is not permitted at any time.

Still photography of play is permitted provided that it does not disrupt play and images are not used for any commercial purpose. Video recording is prohibited at anytime.

Lawn or oversized chairs, folding chairs (with the exception of single stem shooting sticks), or any similar seating item deemed inappropriate by The R&A (or authorised person) are prohibited.

Find out more about camping facilities available at The Open here or email camping@stayattheopen.com.

Safety & Medical

Safety

- Children under 16 should always be accompanied by an adult.

- Always follow the instructions of Marshals and Officials and stay outside the ropes that bound the golf course.

- On entry to the venue look for Map boards, these will help you find exits, key facilities and they provide other key information. If in doubt ask an official or marshal.

Medical

- A Medical HQ will be available and visibly signposted at the event.

- There will also be a number of First Aid Points onsite to assist the Medical HQ.

- The Medical HQ operates from before the first game tees off until 30 minutes after the last game is finished.

- Please remember to be well prepared for a day out in both the sun and the rain. Ensure you have suitable walking footwear and appropriate clothing for all kinds of weather. Take plenty of sunscreen with you and wear a hat when necessary.

- To ensure you stay safe and enjoy the golf, also remember any tablets or medicine that you may require, including antihistamines or painkillers for hay-fever or other ailments and plasters for cuts and scrapes. Enjoy your time at The Open, and we will be there to support you should you need it.

Additional Spectator Facilities

Left Luggage

There will be a free left luggage facility located within the venue, operated on a first come, first serve basis. For your safety, security bag searches may be in operation.