The Open Championship 2026: Everything about Royal Birkdale, tickets, prize money and participants

The Open, often referred to as the "British Open" or "Open Championship", is the only major on European soil and represents the purest form of golf: links golf. In July 2026, the 154th edition of the championship returns to Royal Birkdale, a course regarded by players and fans alike as one of the best courses in the "Open-Rota" system. Having triumphed at Royal Portrush in 2025, Scottie Scheffler will attempt to defend the legendary Claret Jug against the assembled world elite and the treacherous winds of the English west coast.

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 with the players arriving. The practice days on Tuesday and Wednesday are particularly popular, as fans can watch the pros practise creative shots for the likely windy weather. On the tournament days themselves, there are usually well over 100,000 spectators, depending on the venue. The atmosphere is incomparable.

Where will the British Open 2026 be held?

The venue is the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England. Birkdale is characterized by its huge sand dunes, which line the Fairway like natural grandstands. In contrast to many other links courses, the holes here mostly run in the valleys between the dunes, giving spectators an excellent view. The Open Championship will be held for the eleventh time at Royal Birkdale Golf Club. The Womens Open and the Senior Open have also been held here several times. The course was opened in 1889.

Who is last year's winner and who are the record holders?

The defending champion for 2026 is Scottie Scheffler. With his victory in 2025, he proved that he can also cope perfectly with the unpredictable conditions of links golf. The American secured his fourth major title at the British Open and is now one victory away from the Grand Slam at the US Open.

There are legendary record holders in the history of the Open Championship:

• Harry Vardon: Holds the eternal record with 6 victories (between 1896 and 1914).
• Tom Watson, among others: Won the tournament 5 times and is an icon of the Open.
• Tiger Woods: Triumphed 3 times so far (2000, 2005, 2006).

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

Although the prize money is paid out in US dollars, the prestige of the Claret Jug remains priceless. A total pool of around 17 million US dollars is expected for 2026. That's how much was paid out last year. For the first time in over ten years, there was no increase in prize money at the Open Championship in 2025 compared to the previous year.

• Victory 2025: Scottie Scheffler received around 3.1 million US dollars in the previous year.
• Historical review: 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, and the Claret Jug was introduced in 1872. The first prize money was introduced in 1863 and totaled 10 pounds.

Here you can find the complete prize money list of the Open Championship 2025.

When do the players start? (Tee Times & Broadcast Times)

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

• Starting time: The first players start at around 6:30 a.m. local time(7:30 a.m. CET).
• The TV broadcasts often start very early in the morning and continue into the evening, making The Open the TV event with the longest broadcast time.

Where can I buy The Open tickets?

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

• Ticket Ballot: Due to extreme demand, tickets are usually allocated via a lottery (ballot) in the previous year (August/September).
• Resale Platform: The R&A operates an official resale platform for fans who are unable to use their tickets.
• Children's tickets: "Kids go free" - The Open is very family-friendly and often offers free allotments for children.

The qualifying mode: The Open Qualifying Series

The Open is a global event. Players worldwide can qualify via tournaments in South Africa, Australia, the USA and Europe. In addition, there are the "Final Qualifying" events at four courses in the UK, where amateurs and professionals compete for the final places just a few days before the tournament begins. This is preceded by numerous "Local" and "Regional Qualifiers" in which thousands of golfers take part every year. However, a number of players have already qualified via the season rankings of the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, for example.

As soon as the field of participants for the 2026 Open Championship is available, it will be linked here.

Myths, Traditions and History of the British Open

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

The spectator guide: Weatherproofing is everything

Royal Birkdale is famous for its "amphitheater atmosphere". However, spectators should be prepared for all weathers ("Four seasons in one day"). Wellington boots or waterproof golf shoes and quality rainwear are a must in Southport. Fish and chips and British ale are traditionally served in the "Spectator Village" - a must for the real Open Championship experience. The atmosphere at The Open is incomparable. The audience is knowledgeable and you quickly realize that golf is a popular sport in the UK. What's more, there are very few of the tournament's advertising partners present, so unlike most golf tournaments, the full focus is on the sport.