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| Event Name: | The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale |
|---|---|
| Event Start: | Sunday, July 12, 2026 |
| Event End | Sunday, July 19, 2026 |
| Host Venue: |
Royal Birkdale Golf Club |
| Address: |
Royal Birkdale Golf Club,Waterloo Road, Southport, England, PR8 2LX |
Golf’s oldest major returns in 2026 to England’s Royal Birkdale Golf Club between Sunday 12 – Sunday 19 July 2026, with the tournament days between Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 July. 2026 will mark just the tenth time Royal Birkdale has staged the Open in its 154 year history. The last time was in 2017 when Jordan Spieth lifted the Claret Jug with a score of 268 (-12), three shots ahead of fellow American Matt Kuchar for his third major title. Royal Birkdale is located 10 minutes away from Southport and 30 minutes away from Liverpool on England’s northwest coast. Originally known as The British Open, Royal Birkdale first hosted The Open in 1954 when Australian Peter Thomson lifted the Claret Jug. Will you be there in 2026 to see who is crowned Champion Golf of the Year in 2026? Join the waitlist now.
Future Open venues:
The Open Championship—commonly known as The Open—is golf’s oldest major, first held in 1860. It is governed by The R&A, an organisation rooted in St Andrews, Scotland, dating back to 1754. Today, The R&A oversees global rule-making (alongside the USGA), stages The Open and other elite championships, and promotes the growth of the game worldwide. Although some still refer to it as “The British Open,” the event’s official name is The Open Championship. It is considered one of golf’s four major championships, standing alongside the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the PGA Championship. However, it holds a special place as the original major, steeped in history and prestige.
The Open is unique in its rotating venues across links courses in the United Kingdom, known as the Open rota. These include legendary names like St Andrews, Royal St George’s, and Royal Birkdale. Only once has The Open been staged outside of Great Britain: in 1951 and again in 2019, when Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland hosted the event—where Shane Lowry triumphed in front of jubilant home fans. The 153rd Open returned to Royal Portrush in 2025, followed by the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in 2026—marking its tenth appearance at this iconic English venue.
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The Open Championship is run by the R&A, standing for Royal & Ancient society. This organisation has been a golf club since 14 May 1754. In the last century, it has evolved in three main areas: governing The Rules of Golf with the USGA, managing The Open Championship and other golf events, and the development of the sport worldwide. Formally known as The British Open, Golf’s oldest major rebranded to become The Open or The Open Championship.
The Open Championship is one of the most highly coveted golf majors, in equal standing with The US Masters, but it is much older competition in its 151st year at Royal Liverpool. The US Masters has been running for since 1934, while The Open began in 1860. The famed Claret Jug is the prize, along with being named the Champion Golfer of the Year. The prize pool is around $10 million, though the winner receives around $2-3 million. This is low when compared to other golf majors. The integrity of The Open Championship and renown that comes from winning it is why players return every year.
The Open rota is played on various golf courses in the United Kingdom, with the 148th Open being just the second time the major was held outside of Britain. Royal Portrush saw it once in 1951, and again in 2019 where Shane Lowry raised the Claret Jug. The 153rd Open Championship will return to Royal Portrush in 2025 before returning for the tenth time to Royal Birkdale.
The Open is contested over four days of stroke play, from Thursday to Sunday, with players completing 18 holes per day. The field begins with 156 players, but only the top 70 and ties make the cut after Friday’s round.
Monday to Wednesday: Official practice days—an excellent time for fans to see players up close.
Thursday & Friday: All players play two rounds (one morning, one afternoon).
Saturday & Sunday: Final rounds in reverse order of scores, with the leaders teeing off last.
Playoff Format: If tied after 72 holes, a 3-hole aggregate playoff is held. If still tied, sudden death decides the Champion.
The winner of The Open receives the Claret Jug and the title of Champion Golfer of the Year. In recent years, the prize fund has exceeded USD $10 million, with the champion earning around $2 million—modest by PGA Tour standards, but eclipsed by the prestige of winning golf’s oldest and most storied championship.
The 154th Open Championship in 2026 will return to one of the most iconic venues in the Open rota – Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. This will mark the tenth time The Open has been staged at Birkdale, reaffirming its place among the game’s most revered championship links.
Royal Birkdale is known for its natural dunescape, challenging bunkering, and fair but demanding layout. It has hosted The Open on numerous historic occasions, including victories by Peter Thomson, Lee Trevino, and Jordan Spieth—whose 2017 win remains one of the most memorable final-round performances in recent Open history.
Designer: Fred Hawtree & J.H. Taylor
Par: 70
Length: Approx. 7,156 yards (6,543 metres)
Open Host Years: 1954, 1961, 1965, 1971, 1976, 1983, 1991, 1998, 2008, 2017
Notable Feature: Rolling fairways flanked by natural dunes, rather than towering rough, giving a visually stunning and strategic layout.
The course layout at Birkdale is praised for its fairness—every hole is visible from the tee, giving players a clear idea of the challenge ahead. The clubhouse, a striking Art Deco structure, overlooks the closing stretch and is steeped in golfing history.
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