The Open Championship is one of the biggest events in golf, bringing together the world’s best players to compete for the famous Claret Jug. Whether you’re planning to watch every round, follow your favorite golfer, or simply want the latest tournament details, this guide has everything you need in one place. You’ll find the 2026 dates, venue, TV and live streaming options, tee times, player field, qualification process, course information, predictions, and more.
So, read on to discover everything you need to know about The Open Championship (Major) 2026 before the first tee shot.
What Is The Open Championship?
The Open Championship is golf’s oldest major, with the first event played on 17 October 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland. It remains the oldest golf tournament in the world open to both professionals and amateurs, and has been part of the modern major rotation alongside the Masters, PGA Championship, and US Open ever since.
The winner is named “The Champion Golfer of the Year,” a title dating back to that first event in 1860, and receives the Claret Jug, a trophy first awarded in 1872. Lifting the Jug remains one of the most coveted achievements in golf, connecting each modern champion to a tradition stretching back more than 160 years.
When and Where Will The Open Championship (Major) Be Held in 2026?
The 154th Open Championship will be played at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, Merseyside, from 12 to 19 July 2026, with practice days running from Sunday, 12 July to Wednesday, 15 July, followed by Championship play from Thursday, 16 July through Sunday, 19 July, when the Champion Golfer of the Year will be named.
About Royal Birkdale Golf Club
Royal Birkdale was established in 1889 and redesigned in 1922 to create its current layout, which winds through sand dunes towering over each fairway. The Southport links will stage The Open for the 11th time, making it one of the sport’s most familiar championship venues outside St Andrews.
The course has produced some memorable champions over the years. Most recently, Jordan Spieth won The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale in 2017 after a thrilling final round. Other Champion Golfers crowned at the venue include Peter Thomson, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Ian Baker-Finch, Mark O’Meara, and Padraig Harrington.
What makes Royal Birkdale such a demanding test is its towering sand dunes, undulating fairways, deep bunkers, and ever-changing Irish Sea winds create a links challenge where precision, control, and strategic shot-making are essential.
As for why it earned hosting rights again, then-R&A CEO Martin Slumbers described Royal Birkdale as a world-class Championship venue capable of providing a tough but fair test for the world’s best golfers, continuing a hosting legacy that began back in 1954.
How to Watch The Open Championship 2026
Fans in the United States can expect early morning live coverage on USA Network and Peacock, with the weekend’s final rounds airing on NBC. International viewers should check local broadcaster listings, as coverage partners vary by country, though most major golf markets carry live or near-live broadcasts of all four rounds.
TV Channels by Country
| Country | Broadcaster |
| United States | USA Network, NBC, Peacock |
| United Kingdom & Ireland | Sky Sports Golf |
| Canada | TSN |
| Australia | Fox Sports/Kayo |
In the UK, Sky Sports holds the rights to almost every major golf event, including The Open, since the BBC lost free-to-air coverage of the Championship back in 2015. More than 30 broadcast partners typically televise the tournament across roughly 199 countries and territories worldwide, so fans outside these core markets should check local listings closer to the event for their region’s rights holder.
The Open Championship 2026 TV Schedule for USA
| Round | Day | Coverage Window | Channel(s) |
| Round 1 & 2 | Thursday & Friday | 1:30 AM ET onwards | Peacock |
| Round 1 & 2 | Thursday & Friday | 4:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET | USA Network |
| Round 3 & 4 | Saturday & Sunday | Early morning | USA Network |
| Round 3 & 4 | Saturday & Sunday | 7:00 AM ET onwards | NBC & Peacock |
Live coverage of the early rounds begins at 1:30 AM ET on Peacock, with USA Network picking up the main broadcast from 4:00 AM to 3:00 PM ET. The early start reflects the time difference between the UK and US, since play at Royal Birkdale gets underway in the morning local time.
For the weekend, early morning action starts on USA Network, with the primary championship coverage shifting to NBC and Peacock at 7:00 AM ET through the conclusion of play. This later, more accessible window covers the closing stretch of the tournament, including the final groups on Sunday as the Champion Golfer of the Year is decided.
Peacock carries full coverage of every round for viewers without a cable subscription, while NBC and USA Network split weekday and weekend duties based on these time slots.
What are the Tee Times for The Open Championship
Tee times for The Open Championship are typically confirmed and published a few days before the start of Championship play, once the field is finalized and the R&A completes the draw. Practice round tee times are usually made available earlier, giving spectators and players a chance to plan around them.
As the 2026 dates approach, the official tee time schedule for all four Championship rounds will be released closer to the 16 July start.
How to Find and Check Tee Times
The most reliable source for tee times is the official Open Championship website at theopen.com/teetimes. This page is updated directly by the R&A and includes tee times for every round, listed by player name, group, and starting hole.
Fans planning to attend Royal Birkdale in person can use this page to map out which groups to watch and when, while those following from home can use it to know exactly when their favorite players are set to tee off.
Featured Groups
Featured groups, meaning high-profile pairings made up of past champions, top-ranked players, or fan favorites, are usually confirmed alongside the full tee time release. These groupings tend to draw the largest galleries on course and the most attention from broadcasters.
Once the field and tee times for the 2026 Open Championship are announced, this section will be updated with the confirmed featured groups for Royal Birkdale.
What Is the Field for The Open Championship?
The Open Championship field is made up of 156 players, who gain entry through various exemption criteria and qualifying tournaments. These criteria cover a wide range of routes into the Championship, from past champions and recent major winners to the leading names in the world rankings and top tours.
Exemption Categories
The exemption criteria include:
- Past Open champions,
- Recent major winners,
- Top ranked players in the world rankings and from the leading world tours,
- Winners and high finishers from various designated tournaments.
Open champions aged 60 or under qualify automatically (for champions before 2024), while those who won from 2024 onward qualify up to age 55. Beyond past champions, places are also reserved for the top 25 players in the final 2025 Race to Dubai rankings, along with additional spots for top players within the Race to Dubai, FedEx Cup, and LIV Golf League standings.
Open Qualifying Series
Players outside these direct exemptions can still earn a place through qualifying. The Open Qualifying Series (OQS) for the 2026 Open Championship consists of 15 events, giving golfers from tours around the world a path into the field through strong finishes. Regional and Final Qualifying events round out the remaining routes for players not otherwise exempt.
Notable Players in the Field for 2026 The Open Championship (Major)
As of 29 June 2026, the field at Royal Birkdale brings together a strong mix of past champions and top current players.
Past Winners of The Open Championship in the Field
| Player | Year(s) Won |
| Scottie Scheffler | 2025 |
| Xander Schauffele | 2024 |
| Brian Harman | 2023 |
| Cameron Smith | 2022 |
| Collin Morikawa | 2021 |
| Shane Lowry | 2019 |
| Francesco Molinari | 2018 |
| Jordan Spieth | 2017 |
| Henrik Stenson | 2016 |
| Rory McIlroy | 2014 |
| Darren Clarke | 2011 |
| Louis Oosthuizen | 2010 |
| Stewart Cink | 2009 |
| Padraig Harrington | 2007, 2008 |
Other Notable Names in the Field
| Player | Player | Player |
| Jon Rahm | Tommy Fleetwood | Matt Fitzpatrick |
| Bryson DeChambeau | Viktor Hovland | Patrick Cantlay |
| Justin Thomas | Tyrrell Hatton | Hideki Matsuyama |
| Justin Rose | Adam Scott | Brooks Koepka |
Joining this group is a mix of rising stars and Open debutants rounding out the 156-player field at Royal Birkdale.
Defending Champion
Heading into Royal Birkdale, Scottie Scheffler enters as the defending Champion Golfer of the Year, having won the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush by four shots over Harris English, finishing at 17-under par. The win marked Scheffler’s fourth career major title, and he returns this summer looking to defend the Claret Jug on a new course.
[Source: https://www.theopen.com/field]
Odds and Favorites
Heading into Royal Birkdale, Scheffler is the betting favorite at +550 odds via FanDuel, with McIlroy nipping at his heels at +650. Scheffler and McIlroy sit atop the market, followed by Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, with a deep group of elite ball-strikers rounding out the contenders.
| Player | Approx. Odds |
| Scottie Scheffler | +550 (FanDuel) |
| Rory McIlroy | +650 (FanDuel) |
| Jon Rahm | Mid-range |
| Xander Schauffele | Mid-range |
Matt Fitzpatrick is also drawing attention after finishing T4 at last year’s Open, his first top-10 at the Championship, while gaining strokes consistently with his approach play and putter this season.
Predictions
Royal Birkdale rewards elite ball-strikers, especially those who can flight the ball low in windy conditions, and has historically favored players with patience, precision, and world-class approach play. The course plays as a 7,156-yard Par 70 with flatter fairways than most links layouts, though hilly rough areas make missed fairways particularly costly, with wind expected to play a major role once again.
That said, the Open has a track record of surprise winners, with Brian Harman cashing at over 100/1 in 2023, and both Shane Lowry and Francesco Molinari entering as longshots before their wins in 2019 and 2018, a reminder that the favorites board doesn’t always tell the full story at golf’s oldest major.
Tickets For The Open Championship
General Admission tickets for The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale are sold out across all Championship days, with the Ticket Ballot having already closed. However, fans can still secure their place through a few remaining routes.
Ticket Options
| Experience | What’s Included |
| Ticket Plus | Guaranteed access to Links, a festival-style area at the heart of The Open |
| Hospitality | Fully-inclusive dining and drinks with unbeatable views across the course |
| Ticket Packages | Ticket-inclusive accommodation, ranging from camping and budget stays to luxury 5-star hotels |
| Resale Platform | One Club members can buy and sell tickets to The 154th Open at face-value prices |
Fans who already hold a ticket can also upgrade their day to one of the enhanced experiences for closer access to exclusive bars and venues across the course.
Practice Day Passes
Royal Birkdale will host world-class golf, entertainment, and fan activities across eight days during The 154th Open, including four Championship days from Thursday 16 July to Sunday 19 July, alongside four new bespoke Practice Days.
Each Practice Day offers something different, from a 12-player qualifying contest for the final Open spot to short-form challenges featuring the biggest names in the game. Spots for these Practice Days can be secured through Ticket Plus or general admission.
Travel and Accommodation
Royal Birkdale sits in Southport, Merseyside, with Liverpool just 40 minutes away offering a wide range of hotels and easy transport links for the week. Booking accommodation early is recommended, as rooms near the course tend to fill quickly during Open week.
[Source: https://www.theopen.com/tickets-and-hospitality]
What is the Prize Money and Payout For 2026 Open Championship
The R&A has not yet announced the official prize fund for the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
For reference, the prize fund for the 2025 Open at Royal Portrush was $17 million, a figure that has remained unchanged since 2024. By comparison, the Open paid out less than the other men’s majors last year, with the US Open and Masters both reaching $21.5 million.
The full 2026 purse breakdown will be confirmed by the R&A closer to Championship week.
Winner’s Share Breakdown (Estimate)
Until the 2026 figures are released, the table below offers an estimated breakdown based on how recent Open Championship purses have typically been split, using the $17 million pool from the most recent edition as a baseline.
| Finish | Approx. Payout |
| 1st | $3.1 million |
| 2nd | $1.8 million |
| 3rd | $1.15 million |
| 4th | $815,000 |
| 5th | $680,000 |
| 6th | $580,000 |
| 7th | $510,000 |
| 8th | $460,000 |
| 9th | $420,000 |
| 10th | $385,000 |
Note: These figures are approximate and intended as a general guide only. Explore the official website for real values closer to the tournament or after it ends.
Past Winners at Royal Birkdale
Royal Birkdale hosting for the 11th time in 2026, the previous editions were held in 1954, 1961, 1965, 1971, 1976, 1983, 1991, 1998, 2008, and 2017. Since first hosting The Open in 1954, Royal Birkdale has been the most regular venue for the Championship other than St Andrews.
| Year | Champion Golfer |
| 1954 | Peter Thomson |
| 1961 | Arnold Palmer |
| 1965 | Peter Thomson |
| 1971 | Lee Trevino |
| 1976 | Johnny Miller |
| 1983 | Tom Watson |
| 1991 | Ian Baker-Finch |
| 1998 | Mark O’Meara |
| 2008 | Padraig Harrington |
| 2017 | Jordan Spieth |
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, the latest chapter in a hosting legacy stretching back more than seven decades. With Royal Birkdale set to welcome the world’s best golfers once again in 2026, the venue’s roll of champions stands as one of the strongest in the Open rota.
Future Venues for The Open Championship
The Open follows a rotation of historic links courses across the UK, with several editions already confirmed beyond 2026.
| Edition | Venue |
| 154th (2026) | Royal Birkdale |
| 155th (2027) | St Andrews |
| 156th (2028) | Royal Lytham & St Annes |
After Royal Birkdale hosts the 154th Open in 2026, the Championship returns to the Old Course at St Andrews for the 155th edition in 2027, golf’s most storied venue and the spiritual home of the sport. The following year, the 156th Open moves to Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2028, a Lancashire links course known for producing dramatic finishes and past champions including Seve Ballesteros and David Duval.
This rotation keeps The Open anchored to its links heritage while giving fans a mix of familiar venues and fresh challenges each year. As with all future Open venues, dates and ticketing details for St Andrews and Royal Lytham & St Annes will be confirmed closer to each Championship.
Conclusion
The Open Championship 2026 promises to be another unforgettable week of major championship golf as the world’s best players return to the historic Royal Birkdale. With a strong field, challenging links conditions, exciting storylines, and the race to lift the Claret Jug, fans have plenty to look forward to both on-site and from home.
Whether you’re checking the latest tee times, planning how to watch live, following the favorites, or learning more about the course and qualifying process, staying informed will help you enjoy every moment of golf’s oldest major.
As Championship week approaches, keep an eye on official updates for the final field, tee times, and prize money, and get ready for another memorable edition of The Open Championship.
Key Takeaways
- The Open Championship 2026 will be held at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, with Championship rounds taking place from 16–19 July 2026.
- Royal Birkdale is hosting The Open for the 11th time and is known for its challenging links layout, deep bunkers, and coastal winds.
- Fans can watch the tournament live on NBC, USA Network, and Peacock in the United States, with international coverage available through regional broadcasters.
- The official tee times and featured groups will be released by the R&A shortly before the tournament begins.
- The 156-player field includes exempt players, qualifiers from the Open Qualifying Series, past champions, and leading golfers from major tours.
- Scottie Scheffler returns as the defending Champion Golfer of the Year after winning The Open Championship in 2025.
- Royal Birkdale is expected to reward players with accurate ball striking, strong course management, and experience in windy links conditions.
- General admission tickets for the Championship days are sold out, but hospitality packages and official resale options remain available.
- The R&A has not yet confirmed the official 2026 prize fund, although it is expected to be similar to recent editions.
- Staying updated through official sources will ensure you have the latest information on the field, tee times, weather, and tournament results.
FAQs
When is The Open Championship 2026?
The 154th Open Championship takes place from 16 to 19 July 2026, with Championship rounds running Thursday through Sunday. Practice days begin earlier, from 12 to 15 July, giving fans a full week of action at Royal Birkdale before the Claret Jug is awarded.
Where is The Open Championship 2026 being played?
The 2026 Open will be held at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, Merseyside, England. This marks the 11th time the venue has hosted the Championship, making it one of the most familiar courses in the Open rota outside St Andrews.
How can I watch The Open Championship live?
In the United States, coverage airs on USA Network, NBC, and Peacock. UK and Ireland viewers can watch on Sky Sports Golf, Canada on TSN, and Australia on Kayo Sports. Check local listings for other regions, as broadcast partners vary by country.
When will tee times be released?
Tee times are typically confirmed and published a few days before Championship play begins, once the field is finalized and the R&A completes the draw. Practice round tee times are usually released earlier. The full 2026 schedule will appear at theopen.com/teetimes.
Who is the defending champion?
Scottie Scheffler enters as the defending Champion Golfer of the Year, having won the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush by four shots over Harris English, finishing at 17-under par. It marked his fourth career major title, and he returns to defend the Claret Jug.
Is The Open Championship a major?
Yes. The Open Championship is one of golf’s four men’s majors, alongside the Masters, PGA Championship, and US Open. It is also the oldest, first played in 1860, and is widely regarded as the most prestigious title in the sport.
What is the prize money for The Open Championship 2026?
The R&A has not yet confirmed the official 2026 prize fund. For reference, the 2025 purse at Royal Portrush was $17 million, with the champion earning $3.1 million. The full breakdown is expected closer to Championship week.
How many players compete in The Open Championship?
The Open Championship field consists of 156 players. They earn their place through a mix of exemption categories, including past champions, recent major winners, top world rankings, and qualifying tournaments like the Open Qualifying Series.
What makes Royal Birkdale a difficult course?
Royal Birkdale’s towering sand dunes, undulating fairways, deep bunkers, and ever-changing Irish Sea winds create a demanding links test. The course rewards precision, control, and elite ball-striking, particularly the ability to flight shots low in windy conditions.
Who are the favorites to win The Open Championship 2026?
Scottie Scheffler is the betting favorite at +550 odds, with Rory McIlroy close behind at +650. Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele round out the top tier, though The Open has a history of producing surprise champions.
