All you need to know

Another compelling chapter in golf’s original championship will be written when the world’s best players return to Royal Birkdale.

The Southport links will stage The Open for the 11th time, with more special moments guaranteed in the quest for the famous Claret Jug.

This page will be updated with everything you need to know in the run up to another memorable week at The 154th Open.

Key information

The 154th Open will take place at Royal Birkdale in Southport, Merseyside, from 12 to 19 July 2026.

Championship play will start on Thursday 16 July and run across four days, concluding when our Champion Golfer of the Year is named on Sunday 19 July.

From Sunday to Wednesday fans can attend our new bespoke practice days, each with their own unique offering.

Witness a dramatic 12-player Last-Chance Qualifier on Monday 13 July where a final place at The Open will be determined, and enjoy a Heroes Classic showcase event featuring Champion Golfers and an array of special guests on Tuesday 14 July.

Learn more about what's on throughout the week, and view a full schedule of events and timings, here.

How to attend

The Ticket Ballot is closed, however there are still ways you can attend through The Open Experiences.

Royal Birkdale is the first host of The Open Experiences – our new range of ticket and hospitality options – and a limited number of packages remain available to fans.

Browse ticket and accommodation packages, world-class hospitality experiences and our popular Ticket Plus offering on The Open website now.

How qualifying works

A range of different qualification pathways allow players from around the world to earn their place at The 154th Open.

The Open Qualifying Series offers places to the highest-placed finishers at each event, providing they are not already exempt, while Regional and Final Qualifying events, along with the new Last-Chance Qualifier, also offer routes into the Championship.

Our qualification tracker has been updated throughout the year as players gain exemptions.

Course guide

Our hole-by-hole guide sets out the challenge facing players when The Open returns to Southport.

Royal Birkdale is primed to provide a true links golf test with an array of fresh obstacles, along with some of the challenges the venue is best known for, lying in wait.

Head Professional Gregg Pettersen played as a marker the last time The Open was held at Birkdale, and he has been explaining the demands each hole will place on the world's greatest players.

Previous Opens at Royal Birkdale

Some of golf’s finest champions have enjoyed their greatest moments at Royal Birkdale.

The venue has staged The Open on ten previous occasions, with some of the sport's most iconic figures having lifted the Claret Jug on the Southport links.

Two five-time Champion Golfers, three back-to-back Champions and a host of multiple major winners have written their names into Open history at this iconic venue.

Most recently Jordan Spieth, won The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale in 2017 after a thrilling final round up there with the greatest the Championship has ever seen.

Digital enhancements

A range of new digital innovations and enhanced broadcast coverage mean fans can follow this year's Championship like never before.

From a redesigned official app and an all-new Fantasy game to enhanced live streaming, dedicated player coverage and expanded global television coverage, The R&A is using the latest technology to bring fans closer to The Open.

Live television coverage will be available through 35 broadcast partners across more than 200 countries and territories, with more than 48 hours of world feed coverage complemented by Featured Groups, The Open Radio and the return of Live at the Range, providing behind-the-scenes access, player interviews and expert analysis throughout Championship week.

New for this year is a dedicated Player Focus feed, allowing fans to follow a selected player more closely each day, while two new original productions - the Last Chance Qualifier and the Heroes Classic - will be provided through highlights and social coverage enabling fresh ways for audiences to engage with golf's original Championship.

Weather

There is always a lot of interest in the weather at The Open, and this year is no different.

At present, forecasts suggest a hot and sunny week, similar to conditions experienced throughout much of the UK in early July.

We will provide daily weather updates here throughout the Championship.