A guide to Visiting The Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale in July 2026

This blog is a Guide to visiting the Open at Royal Birkdale in 2026. The Open returns to Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport in July 2026, bringing the world’s best golfers back to one of the finest links courses on England’s Golf Coast. For visitors, this is far more than a golf tournament. It is a full week of championship sport, coastal atmosphere, local hospitality and the chance to experience one of the great venues in Open history.

SGT is based in Southport and has been planning golf trips to Englanad’s Golf Coast for over 15 years. This gives us unrivalled local experience in helping golfers enjoy Southport, Royal Birkdale and the wider North West of England. We thought we would share that experience to make you visit less stress full and then you can focus on the Golf

Royal Birkdale is one of the most respected courses on The Open rota, and Southport will be extremely busy throughout the week. Whether you are attending for one day or planning a longer golf trip around the Championship, a little preparation will make a big difference.

Tickets for The Open

General Admission tickets for The Open at Royal Birkdale have been sold out for many months, with tickets originally allocated through The Open ticket ballot. This means visitors should not expect to simply buy General Admission tickets in the normal way or turn up at the gate hoping to purchase entry on the day.
However, there may still be a route to securing official General Admission tickets. The Open operates an official Ticket Resale Platform⁠ , where existing ticketholders can return and resell unwanted General Admission or Ticket Plus tickets securely at face value. Availability depends on whether other fans list their tickets for resale, so it is worth checking the official Open website regularly if you are still hoping to attend.

Visitors should be cautious about unofficial resale sites. The safest option is always to use The Open’s official ticketing channels.
Tickets are digital and accessed through The Open Tickets App. Before travelling, make sure your phone is charged, the app is downloaded, and you are logged in with the same email address used to buy the tickets.
Visitors should also be aware of the same-day re-entry rules. You are allowed to leave The Open and return later the same day, but you must have both your valid digital ticket and an official re-entry wristband. The wristband should be collected when leaving the venue. Without both the wristband and your digital ticket, you may not be allowed back into the event.

Travelling to The Open

SGT strongly recommends planning your travel before Open week. There will be no public parking at Royal Birkdale or in the immediate surrounding area, so visitors should not attempt to drive directly to the course.
For most spectators, the train will be the simplest option. Hillside is the closest and most convenient station for Royal Birkdale, with the main public entrance around 300 metres away, approximately a four-minute walk. Merseyrail services will operate to and from Hillside during Open week, with extra services at the busiest times before and after play. Visitors can check Merseyrail’s Open travel information⁠ and The Open’s official travel by train guidance⁠ before travelling.

Visitors travelling from Liverpool can use the Merseyrail Northern Line towards Southport, while those coming from further afield can connect via Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Central, Moorfields or Southport. Trains will be busy, so allow more time than usual, especially early in the morning and at the end of the day.

There is also a direct train from Manchester to Southport, which may suit some visitors staying in or around Manchester. However, this is generally a less convenient option than using Merseyrail to Hillside. The Manchester to Southport service is less frequent, and Southport Station is much further from Royal Birkdale than Hillside. From Southport Station, the walk to Royal Birkdale is around 40 to 60 minutes, depending on your pace and the event entrance route. There is a taxi rank outside Southport Station, although taxis are likely to be in high demand during Open week and journey times may be affected by traffic controls around the course.
If you are staying in Southport town centre, you can travel from Southport Station to Hillside by train in around six minutes, followed by the short walk to the course entrance. Walking all the way from Southport Station to Royal Birkdale is possible, but it is around three miles and would usually take approximately 50 to 60 minutes, depending on your pace and the event entrance route.

A taxi from Southport Station to the Royal Birkdale area would normally take around 10 to 15 minutes in light traffic, but during Open week this could take longer because of road closures, event traffic and drop-off arrangements. For that reason, the train to Hillside is likely to be the most reliable option for many visitors.
For those driving into the wider area, official Park & Ride facilities will be in operation, with shuttle buses taking spectators to the course. Coaches and organised group transport should also follow official event guidance.

Accommodation for The Open

Accommodation in Southport, Birkdale and the surrounding area is now extremely limited for Open week, with many hotels, guest houses and serviced apartments already fully booked or holding only very limited availability.
Visitors can contact SGT to check for the latest availability and we will advise on what may still be possible. However, anyone still looking for accommodation should also consider staying further away and travelling into the area by train.
Liverpool is a practical option for many visitors, with regular Merseyrail services running towards Southport and Hillside. Hillside is the closest station to Royal Birkdale, making it a useful route for spectators who are happy to stay outside Southport and travel in each day.
Timetable Over Open Week

Open week usually builds gradually, with practice days early in the week before the Championship begins. Practice days are a great option for visitors who want a more relaxed experience, easier movement around the course and the chance to see players preparing.
The Championship rounds take place from Thursday to Sunday, with the final round on Sunday deciding who lifts the Claret Jug. Thursday and Friday are ideal for seeing the full field, while Saturday and Sunday bring the drama of the cut, the leaderboard and the closing holes.
Visitors attending for several days may want to use the practice days to explore the course, understand the best viewing positions and enjoy the spectator village before the Championship crowds build later in the week.

Facilities at The Open

The Open is a major sporting event with extensive spectator facilities. Visitors can expect food and drink outlets, merchandise shops, toilets, seating areas, big screens and viewing points around the course. There are usually grandstands in key locations, although these can fill quickly at popular times.
The layout of The Open site at Royal Birkdale has also changed from previous Championships. The practice ground has been moved and will now be located on Hillside’s practice ground. It will still be accessible from within The Open site, so spectators should still be able to watch players warming up and preparing before their rounds.
The spectator village is a useful base during the day, particularly for groups who may want to meet between following different players. Comfortable footwear is essential, as you are likely to walk a long way across links terrain.
Visitors should prepare for all weather. Royal Birkdale is a coastal links course, so conditions can change quickly. Bring waterproofs, sun protection and layers, even if the forecast looks settled.

Restaurants and Evenings in Southport

Restaurants in Southport, Birkdale and the surrounding area will be very busy during Open week, so book early. Birkdale Village is a good option for relaxed food and drinks, with a strong selection of restaurants, pubs, cafés and bars.
Birkdale Village is also within walking distance of Royal Birkdale, although visitors should allow enough time after play. The walk from Royal Birkdale to Birkdale Village is approximately two miles and would usually take around 35 to 45 minutes, depending on the event exit route, crowd controls and your pace. Visitors can also take the train from Hillside to Birkdale, which is only one stop on the Merseyrail line.

For visitors staying in Southport, some of our SGT favourites are Lansdowne Bistro for steak and seafood, Volare for Italian food, and Kailash Divine for Indian cuisine. These are all on, or just off, Lord Street, making them convenient options for an evening meal in the town centre.
In our view , no golfers trip to Southport is complete without a visit to Birkdale Village. There is a unique vibe in the village which is only enhanced when the Open comes. We would recommend Limoncello for Italian food, Bistrot Vérité for fine dining, or Barrique, where pizza is a speciality. As with all restaurants during Open week, booking well in advance is strongly advised.
Southport town centre offers a wider choice around Lord Street, the Promenade and the seafront. Liverpool is another excellent base for visitors who want a livelier evening scene, with a strong choice of restaurants, bars and hotels. It also has good rail connections towards the Southport line, making it a practical option for groups who want to combine The Open with a city break.

Other Useful Visitor Tips

Arrive early, especially on Championship days. Security checks, queues, busy trains and large crowds can all add time to your journey. Agree a meeting point with your group in case phone signal is poor or the site becomes crowded.
It is also worth planning your day around the type of experience you want. Some visitors prefer to follow a favourite player for several holes, while others choose a grandstand or viewing area and watch the field come through. A mixture of both usually gives the best experience.
If you plan to leave and re-enter the venue, remember to collect your re-entry wristband before leaving and keep your digital ticket available on your phone.
A set of FAQ’s have been published to make you
There is also an Open App which will provide the latest info and free access to a wifi across the course, in the grandstands and in the Spectator Village
In summary,
• Except it is going to be very busy
• Plan you trip particularly the transport
• Consider exploring Birkdale Village or Southport Town centre
• Enjoy the experience of the Open @ Royal Birkdale

We hope htis Guide to Visiting the Open at Royal Birkdale in 2026 was helpful.

Consider coming back to enjoy more great golf in the North West of England – Englands Golf Cost

Book Ahead for 2027

Although most Open week services are now sold out or extremely limited, there are still a small number of tee times available. Please enquire if you are interested, and we will be happy to advise on what may still be possible.
SGT is already taking bookings for 2027, and we expect demand to be even higher than usual, as many visitors who come to Royal Birkdale for The Open will want to return and experience more of the region.
Now is the ideal time to start planning a dedicated golf trip to the North West of England and explore the delights of England’s Golf Coast. With outstanding courses, welcoming towns, excellent restaurants and easy access through Liverpool and Manchester, England’s Golf Coast is one of the finest golf destinations in the UK.
Book now with SGT to come back in 2027 and enjoy a properly planned golf break across the North West of England.