12 - 19 July 2026

ROYAL BIRKDALE

The 154th Open

Southport, Merseyside, England

Royal Birkdale was established in 1889 but redesigned in 1922 to create the current layout, which winds its way through sand dunes towering over each fairway. Since first hosting The Open in 1954, it has been the most regular venue, other than St Andrews. For The 154th Open, Royal Birkdale will be the first host of The Open Experiences - our new range of ticket options - giving fans innovative new ways to attend the Championship.

Other Upcoming Venues

ST ANDREWS

Tickets and Hospitality

Attend The 154th Open

Camping and Glamping

If you have already secured your tickets for Royal Birkdale, you can add on camping and glamping in The Open Camping Village.

Carefully created to offer flexibility, reassurance and security, the campsite is perfect for families, couples or groups of friends who want a championship experience with every detail taken care of.

Explore Packages

Fans enjoying the camping village during The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.

Key dates and information

The world’s best players will return to Royal Birkdale, Merseyside, for another compelling chapter in golf's original championship in July.

The Southport links will stage The Open for the 11th time, with Championship play starting on Thursday 16 July and running across four days, concluding when our Champion Golfer of the Year is named on Sunday 19 July.

From Sunday 12 July to Wednesday 15 July fans can attend our new bespoke practice days, each with their own unique offering, from a Last-Chance Qualifier to Heroes Classic - a showcase event featuring Champion Golfers and an array of special guests.

Hole seven at Royal Birkdale where The 154th Open will be staged.

Course Guide

Royal Birkdale is primed to provide a true links golf test when the world's greatest players arrive to compete for the coveted Claret Jug.

In our course guide, Head Professional Gregg Pettersen, who played as a marker the last time The Open was held at Birkdale, explains each of the holes and sets out the demands they’ll place on the world class field this summer.

Hole-by-Hole Guide

A general view of the 15th hole at Royal Birkdale with the white clubhouse in the background.

Qualification

Golfers from around the world can secure their place at The 154th Open through a number of different qualification pathways.

Some of the world's best players have already done enough to earn a place, with a series of exemption categories now confirmed, while others will have the opportunity to qualify between now and the first tee shot on 16 July.

The Open Qualifying Series (OQS) started with Open de España presented by Madrid in October and concludes with the Genesis Scottish Open in July. Regional Qualifying and Final Qualifying events will take place ahead of The Open, along with a new Last-Chance Qualifier offering another route into golf's original championship.