The 2026 Open Championship: Everything You Need to Know About Royal Birkdale, Tee Times, and the Live Leaderboard

The Open, often referred to as the "British Open" or "Open Championship," is the only major held on European soil and represents the purest form of golf: links golf. In July 2026, the 154th edition of the championship will return to Royal Birkdale, a course regarded by players and fans alike as one of the best in the “Open rota” system. After Scottie Scheffler’s triumph at Royal Portrush in 2025, he will attempt to defend the legendary Claret Jug against the world’s elite and the treacherous winds of England’s west coast.

Find the 2026 Open Championship live leaderboard here.

When will the 2026 Open Championship take place?

The fourth and final major of the season will be held from July 16 to 19, 2026. The tournament week begins the Sunday before, when the players arrive. The practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday are particularly popular, as fans can watch the pros practice creative shots in preparation for the likely windy conditions. On the tournament days themselves, depending on the venue, well over 100,000 spectators usually attend. The atmosphere is unparalleled.

You can find a current tournament preview for the 2026 Open Championship here.

Where will the 2026 British Open be held?

The venue is the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. Birkdale is known for its massive sand dunes, which line the Fairway like natural grandstands. Unlike many other links courses, the holes here mostly run through the valleys between the dunes, providing spectators with an excellent view. The Open Championship will be held at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club for the eleventh time. The Women’s Open and the Senior Open have also been held here on multiple occasions. The course opened in 1889.

Who is the defending champion, and who are the record holders?

The defending champion for 2026 is Scottie Scheffler. With his victory in 2025, he proved that he can handle the unpredictable conditions of links golf perfectly. The American secured his fourth major title at the British Open; with this victory, he now needs just one more win at the U.S. Open to complete the Grand Slam.

The history of the Open Championship features some legendary record-holders:

• Harry Vardon: Holds the all-time record with 6 victories (between 1896 and 1914).
• Among others, Tom Watson: Won the tournament 5 times and is an icon of the Open.
• Tiger Woods: Has triumphed three times so far (2000, 2005, 2006).

Here you’ll find the favorites preview for the 2026 Open Championship.

How much is the prize money for the 2026 Open Championship?

Although the prize money is paid out in U.S. dollars, the prestige of the Claret Jug remains priceless. A total prize pool of approximately 17 million U.S. dollars is expected for 2026. That’s how much was awarded last year. For the first time in over a decade, there was no increase in prize money at the 2025 Open Championship compared to the previous year.

• 2025 Winner: Scottie Scheffler received around 3.1 million US dollars last year.
• Historical Background: At the first Open Championship in 1860, there was no prize money at all—the winner, Willie Park Sr., received a red leather belt. The “Challenge Belt” was awarded until 1870; the Claret Jug was introduced in 1872. The first prize money was introduced in 1863 and totaled 10 pounds.

Here you’ll find the complete prize money list for the 2025 Open Championship.

When do the players tee off? (Tee Times & Broadcast Times)

A major advantage for fans in Europe: Since the tournament takes place in England, there is only a one-hour time difference (Western European Time) compared to continental Europe. As soon as the tee times for the 2026 Open Championship are available, they will be linked here.

• Start time: The first players tee off as early as 6:35 a.m. local time (7:35 a.m. CET).
• TV broadcasts often begin very early in the morning and continue into the evening, making The Open the TV event with the longest broadcast duration.

Here you’ll find the 2026 Open Championship tee times.

Where can you buy The Open tickets?

Tickets are distributed exclusively through the R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews):

• Ticket Ballot: Due to extremely high demand, tickets are usually allocated via a lottery (ballot) held the previous year (August/September).
• Resale Platform: The R&A operates an official resale platform for fans who are unable to use their tickets.
• Kids’ Tickets: “Kids go free”—The Open is very family-friendly and often offers free tickets for children.

The Qualifying Process: The “Open Qualifying Series”

The Open is a global event. Players from around the world can qualify through tournaments in South Africa, Australia, the U.S., and Europe. In addition, there are “Final Qualifying” events at four venues in the UK, where amateurs and professionals compete for the final spots just a few days before the tournament begins. These are preceded by numerous “Local” and “Regional Qualifiers” in which thousands of golfers participate each year. However, a number of players have already qualified, for example, through the season-long standings on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.

The Field for the 2026 Open Championship – All Players

Myths, Traditions, and History of the British Open

• The Claret Jug: Officially known as “The Golf Champion Trophy.” It has been awarded since 1872, after the original belt became the property of Tom Morris Jr. following three consecutive victories.
• Silver Medal: In addition to the winner, the top amateur has also been honored since 1949 (provided he makes the cut). He receives a silver medal. The only players to have won both the Silver Medal and the Claret Jug are Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

The Spectator’s Guide: Being Prepared for Any Weather Is Key

Royal Birkdale is famous for its “amphitheater atmosphere.” However, spectators should be prepared for any weather (“four seasons in one day”). Rubber boots or waterproof golf shoes, as well as high-quality rain gear, are a must in Southport. The “Spectator Village” traditionally serves fish and chips and British ale—a must for the authentic Open Championship experience. The atmosphere at The Open is unparalleled. The crowd is knowledgeable, and you quickly realize that golf is a national sport in Great Britain. Furthermore, very few of the tournament’s sponsors are present, so—unlike at most golf tournaments—the full focus is on the sport.