2026 Open Championship Awarded to Royal Birkdale

The 2026 British Open Championship will be played at Royal Birkdale, the R&A announced this week ahead of next week’s major championship.

“Royal Birkdale is a world-class Championship venue and its outstanding links will once again provide the world’s best men’s professional golfers with a tough but fair test of their talents and capabilities as they compete for the Claret Jug,” said Martin Slumbers, chief executive officer of the R&A. “It has produced many memorable moments that are woven into the story of this historic Championship. We look forward to another special occasion in three years and it will be fascinating to see which player will emerge to join a list of renowned Champion Golfers to have won at Royal Birkdale.”

The links course has hosted golf’s original championship on 10 occasions, the last of which was in 2017 when Jordan Spieth emerged victorious in a memorable final-round duel with Matt Kuchar. Other champions at Royal Birkdale include Peter Thomson, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Ian Baker-Finch, Mark O’Meara and Padraig Harrington.

“We are thrilled and honored to have been chosen as the host venue for The Open in 2026,” said Andrew Maxwell, captain of Royal Birkdale and chairman of the championship committee. “We look forward to welcoming the world’s best golfers to our magnificent course and providing them with a true test of links golf. The Club is already working hard to ensure that The Open in 2026 will be an unforgettable event for players, spectators and fans around the globe.”

Royal Liverpool hosts the 151st Open starting next week, with Scotland’s Royal Troon booked for 2024 and Northern Ireland’s Royal Portrush to host in 2025.

“Fans from across the world will get the chance to see some golfing legends tee off from the fabulous setting of Royal Birkdale,” said Ian Maher, leader of Sefton Council. “Combining accommodation, food and drink, leisure facilities and transport links, millions of pounds will be spent in the local economy in the run up to and during the Championship which is hugely wonderful news. The Open is very much a family event and we are expecting thousands of people of all ages to enjoy the Championship and all the excellent facilities Southport and Sefton have to offer.”