The Open Championship 2026
Golf's oldest Major. The Claret Jug. Wild Antrim coast links. The 155th Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush — connecting the game's deepest traditions with the dramatic clifftop landscape of Northern Ireland.
Royal Portrush last hosted The Open in 2019 — Rory McIlroy's homecoming crowd scenes were among the most emotional in golf history. Now the Championship returns, paired with the breathtaking scenery of the Antrim coast, Giant's Causeway minutes away, and the Claret Jug as the prize.
Tournament Schedule
The Open spans a full week — practice rounds offer unparalleled close-up access to the world's best players on the Dunluce Links, while the four competitive rounds build to Sunday's Claret Jug presentation.
Players walk the Dunluce Links in preparation. Champion Golfer media day takes place mid-week. Practice rounds offer superb up-close access — you can follow any group freely around all 18 holes.
The 155th Open Championship begins. Tee times staggered from early morning. Early starters often have calmer conditions; later groups can face afternoon wind off the Atlantic.
The cut falls after 36 holes. The top 70 players and ties advance to the weekend. Friday afternoon — with the cut looming — produces some of the most dramatic links golf of the tournament.
Moving Day at Royal Portrush: leaderboard positions shift rapidly as the wind typically picks up. A Portrush Saturday can be some of the most exhilarating links golf conditions anywhere in the world.
The Champion Golfer of the Year is crowned at Royal Portrush. The Claret Jug — golf's oldest and most storied trophy — is presented on the 18th green as the Antrim coast forms the backdrop.
Royal Portrush — Course Guide
The Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush is one of the great links courses in the world — raw, dramatic, wind-scoured, and set against the Antrim coast in a way that no inland course can match.
The most famous hole at Royal Portrush — a par 3 played over a deep ravine to a narrow green. Miss it in the wrong direction and you face an unplayable lie. The name says everything about what awaits those who misjudge the crosswind.
These cliff-top holes sit high above the Atlantic, with the White Rocks limestone formations and the sea visible below. On a clear July day they are among the most visually spectacular holes in world golf. On a blustery Northern Irish afternoon, they are brutally difficult.
The Open course stretches 7,317 yards to a par of 71. Unlike parkland majors, there is no rough to speak of — instead, Royal Portrush defends itself with deep pot bunkers, narrow fairways, coastal rough grass, and wind that can shift by 20 mph between holes.
Royal Portrush's second course, used for qualifying and practice during Open week. Valley Links gives a sense of the full scope of this extraordinary golf destination on the Antrim peninsula.
Links golf is golf as it was originally played — on natural coastal terrain with no rough to speak of, only pot bunkers, undulating fairways, and wind. At Royal Portrush, the ball bounces unpredictably off firm ground, approach shots can run 50 yards past the hole, and a calm morning can become a 30 mph crosswind gale by afternoon. That unpredictability is why links golf produces the most dramatic Major finishes of all.
Getting to Royal Portrush
Portrush sits on the north Antrim coast. Belfast is the main gateway; Dublin is viable for European visitors. The scenic coastal train from Belfast is the most recommended transport option for Open week.
Closest airport — approximately 60 minutes from Portrush by road. Regular UK domestic services from London, Manchester, Edinburgh. Good connectivity for UK visitors.
Flights to BFS →75 minutes from Portrush. More international routes than George Best Belfast City — Ryanair, easyJet, and transatlantic services. Often the better option for European and long-haul arrivals.
Flights to BHD →2 hours 30 minutes from Portrush. Ireland's main hub — widest international connectivity including US pre-clearance. Excellent option for transatlantic travellers. Drive or coach north to Portrush.
Flights to DUB →Getting Open 2026 Tickets
The R&A manages all ticketing for The Open through official ballot and direct sale at theopen.com. The ballot typically opens around September the year before — register early for the best chance.
Walk the full Dunluce Links with unrestricted access to all public areas. Available for practice rounds (lower price) and all four tournament rounds. Grounds tickets are the most accessible option and the best way to experience links golf up close.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (14–16 July). Cheaper than tournament rounds, brilliant player access — you can stand next to the world's best as they walk the fairways. Often the highlight of the week for fans who love the game.
Fixed seats at key locations — 18th green grandstand is the most sought-after. Book well in advance through the R&A. The 18th at Royal Portrush with the Antrim coast as backdrop is one of golf's great finishing hole settings.
Premium hospitality through R&A Hospitality: The Village (large on-site hospitality village), 18th Tower (prime views), and Halcyon Suites (luxury private suites). Full catering, guaranteed seats, and the finest Open experience. Book directly via R&A.
Get tickets for The Open Championship 2026
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Northern Ireland Beyond Golf
One of the great underrated travel destinations. The Antrim coast around Portrush is extraordinary — here are six things you must do beyond the fairways.
UNESCO World Heritage Site — 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity. Unmissable. 15 minutes from Portrush. Book the National Trust visitor centre in advance during Open week.
The world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery (est. 1608), 15 minutes from Portrush. Tours and tastings available. Old Bushmills, Black Bush, and the single malts are exceptional. A perfect post-golf afternoon.
An avenue of ancient beech trees that served as the King's Road in Game of Thrones (Season 2). About 30 minutes from Portrush. Arrive early morning to avoid crowds and capture the best light.
A National Trust rope bridge suspended 30 metres above the sea, connecting the mainland to a tiny island. Dramatic views of the Antrim coast and Rathlin Island. About 40 minutes from Portrush.
Titanic Belfast Museum (the world's largest Titanic visitor experience), the Cathedral Quarter, Black Cab political tours of the murals, and a thriving food and bar scene. Belfast is a genuinely brilliant city well worth an overnight.
The A2 coastal road from Belfast to Derry/Londonderry is consistently ranked among the world's most scenic coastal drives. Cliffs, castles, distilleries, and golf courses — this is Northern Ireland at its finest.
Where to Stay
Portrush accommodation sells out by October 2025. Book the moment your tickets are confirmed — do not wait.
Walking distance to the Dunluce Links entrance — the most convenient base for the tournament. Fills up entirely by October 2025. Expect rates 5–10x normal during Open week. Book the moment tickets are confirmed.
15–20 minutes from Royal Portrush. More accommodation inventory, more manageable prices. Portstewart itself is a lovely seaside town with its own links course. Coleraine is a larger town with hotels and B&Bs.
45 minutes from Portrush. Northern Ireland's second city — walled city centre, vibrant restaurant scene, genuinely characterful. Good value relative to Portrush. Easy drive to the course each day.
1 hour from Royal Portrush. Full city amenities, excellent hotel inventory, international transport links. Ideal base if flying in. Train to Portrush is straightforward from Belfast Lanyon Place (1h30, scenic Antrim coast route).
Community
Links Golf Fan Tips
Five things to know before attending The Open at Royal Portrush.
- 1.Northern Ireland in July is mild (15–20°C) but coastal wind is omnipresent — pack a quality waterproof and a warm mid-layer even on sunny days.
- 2.Walking the full 18 holes of the Dunluce Links is part of the links experience — invest in proper walking shoes or waterproof golf shoes. The rough terrain is not suitable for fashion trainers.
- 3.The 2019 Open at Portrush showed why this venue is special: Rory McIlroy's homecoming saw some of the most emotional and passionate crowd scenes in the history of the Championship.
- 4.Take the train from Belfast Lanyon Place to Portrush — the Antrim coast rail route is genuinely spectacular and avoids all car parking stress during Open week.
- 5.Allow 3–4 days minimum: combine the Open with Giant's Causeway, a Bushmills tour, and a coastal drive. Northern Ireland deserves far more time than a day trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is The Open Championship 2026?
The Open Championship 2026 — the 155th Open — takes place 14–19 July 2026 at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland. Practice rounds run Monday to Wednesday (14–16 July); the tournament proper is Thursday to Sunday (16–19 July), with the Claret Jug presented on Sunday 19 July 2026.
What airport is closest to Royal Portrush?
George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) is approximately 60 minutes from Portrush. Belfast International Airport (BFS) is around 75 minutes. Dublin Airport (DUB) is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes by car or bus. The scenic train from Belfast Lanyon Place to Portrush (1 hour 30 minutes along the Antrim coast) is the strongly recommended transport option — no parking stress, incredible scenery.
How do I get tickets for The Open 2026?
Tickets are sold through the official R&A ballot at theopen.com, which typically opens around September the previous year. Options include daily grounds passes, weekly grounds tickets, and grandstand tickets. Practice round tickets (Monday–Wednesday) are cheaper and offer excellent player access. Hospitality packages — including The Village, 18th Tower, and Halcyon Suites — are available via R&A Hospitality. Secondary market resellers are the alternative if the ballot sells out.
What makes Royal Portrush special for The Open?
Royal Portrush is one of the world's finest links courses, set dramatically on the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland. Cliff-top holes with views of the Atlantic, the famous Calamity Corner (14th hole over a ravine), unpredictable coastal winds, and proximity to Giant's Causeway make it unforgettable. The 2019 Open at Portrush — Rory McIlroy's homecoming — produced some of the most emotional crowd scenes in golf history. The Dunluce Links course is 7,317 yards, Par 71.
Get tickets for The Open Championship 2026
Sports, concerts & shows in Portrush — all on TicketNetwork