Formby Hall Welcomes Open as Fans Return to Southport 2026

Key Points

• The 154th Open will be played at Royal Birkdale, Southport, from 16–19 July 2026, with practice days running 12–15 July.
• Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa is preparing to welcome professional golfers, spectators and leisure guests during the tournament week.
• Royal Birkdale will stage The Open for the 11th time, marking a major moment for Southport’s local economy and tourism sector.
• The R&A and Sefton Council have engaged with local businesses and residents to manage traffic, security and crowd flow for the event.
• New “The Open Experiences” ticket options are being introduced at Royal Birkdale, including bespoke practice-day packages and themed fan zones.
• Elite players such as Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler are among those targeting victory at the historic links.
• Formby Hall’s preparations include enhanced dining, spa services, golf coaching and transport links for visiting fans and players.
• Local media and national outlets report strong expectations for crowded practice rounds and a bustling tournament village.
• The tournament is now the final major on the 2026 calendar, heightening its significance for players chasing major glory.
• Southport authorities are coordinating with emergency services, hospitality operators and transport providers to ensure safe, smooth operations.

Formby (Liverpool standard) July 13, 2026 – uk/local/formby/">Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa is preparing to welcome golfers, spectators and leisure guests as The 154th Open returns to Royal Birkdale in Southport this week, with the resort expanding its hospitality, accommodation and leisure offerings to meet rising demand tied to the tournament.

As reported by the Golf Business News team in their coverage of the resort’s preparations, Formby Hall has activated special packages for visiting professionals, touring players on practice rounds, and international fans making the trip to Merseyside for the event. The resort’s strategy includes coordinated room blocks, flexible check-in arrangements, and tailored dining options designed for early-morning tournament schedules and late-night fan gatherings.

According to statements from Formby Hall’s management, the resort is also working closely with local transport providers to ensure reliable shuttle services between the property and Royal Birkdale, reducing congestion on main roads during peak hours. These measures aim to support both leisure guests staying for the duration of the tournament and short-stay visitors attending only specific practice days or round tickets.

How Does The 154th Open Fit Into Southport’s 2026 Calendar?

The 154th Open will take place at Royal Birkdale from 12–19 July 2026, with Championship play starting on Thursday 16 July and concluding on Sunday 19 July when the Champion Golfer of the Year is named. From Sunday 12 July to Wednesday 15 July, fans can attend bespoke practice days, including a Last-Chance Qualifier and the Heroes Classic, a showcase event featuring past Champion Golfers and special guests.

As noted by The R&A in its official course guide, Royal Birkdale will stage The Open for the 11th time, with the Southport links having witnessed some of the most memorable moments in golf’s original championship. Andrew Maxwell, Captain of Royal Birkdale and Chairman of the Championship Committee, said: “We are thrilled and honoured to have been chosen as the host venue for The Open in 2026”.theopen+1

What New Ticket and Fan Experiences Are Being Introduced?

For The 154th Open, Royal Birkdale will be the first host of “The Open Experiences” – a new range of ticket options giving fans innovative ways to attend the Championship. These include themed practice-day packages, premium viewing areas, and access to exclusive fan zones designed to enhance the spectator experience beyond traditional round tickets.

As outlined on The Open’s official website, these new offerings are intended to cater to a wider audience, from serious golf followers to casual fans looking for a family-friendly day out in Southport. The introduction of these packages coincides with broader efforts by The R&A and Sefton Council to improve crowd management, signage, and on-site amenities across the tournament village.

Who Are the Leading Players Targeting Victory at Royal Birkdale?

As reported by the Associated Press, Jordan Spieth returns to Royal Birkdale looking to replicate the “magic” that helped him win the 2017 British Open at the same venue. Spieth, who delivered a dramatic final-hour performance at Birkdale in 2017, sees the 2026 Open as a chance to add another major to his career tally.

According to coverage from Bastille Post, Scottie Scheffler is also among the top contenders, with the 2026 Open serving as his last shot at a major in the 2026 season as the British returns to Royal Birkdale. The fact that the British Open has become the last major on the calendar adds extra weight to the tournament for players seeking to close out their season with a title.

PGA Tour material highlights that nine key things define Royal Birkdale as the site of the 2026 British Open Championship, including its coastal layout, challenging wind conditions and historic reputation for producing dramatic finishes. These factors mean that the competition is likely to be fiercely contested among a wide pool of contenders rather than focused on a single dominant player.

How Is the Local Community Preparing for the Tournament Impact?

Sefton Council and The R&A hosted a successful engagement event last week focused on preparations for The 154th Golf Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, bringing together local people and businesses to discuss logistics, safety and economic opportunities. The event covered issues such as traffic management, parking, security checkpoints, and how local hospitality operators can maximise benefits from the influx of visitors.

Local media report that businesses in Southport, including hotels, restaurants, and retail outlets, are expecting a significant uplift in demand during the tournament week. Authorities are coordinating with emergency services, transport providers and hospitality operators to ensure safe, smooth operations while minimising disruption to residents outside the immediate tournament zone.

Background: The Development of The Open’s Return to Royal Birkdale

The decision to return The Open to Royal Birkdale in 2026 was confirmed by The R&A in July 2023, when it announced that the 154th Open would be played at the Southport links from 12–19 July 2026. This marked the first time since 2017 that Royal Birkdale would host the championship, ending an interval of nine years since Spieth’s victory there.

Andrew Maxwell, Captain of Royal Birkdale and Chairman of the Championship Committee, described the selection as a milestone for the club and for Southport, emphasising the venue’s iconic status and its history of producing compelling Championship narratives. The choice of Royal Birkdale was part of a broader strategy to rotate The Open among historic UK courses, balancing tradition with the need to refresh fan experiences and regional economic impact.theopen+1

From 2023 onwards, preparatory work included course regrassing, drainage improvements, and upgrades to spectator infrastructure, while The R&A began designing new ticket models under “The Open Experiences” programme. Local authorities, including Sefton Council, engaged communities and businesses through workshops and information events to ensure that the tournament’s logistics aligned with residents’ needs and local economic priorities.theopen+1

By early 2026, ticket sales, hospitality packages and accommodation bookings had begun to rise sharply, with Formby Hall and other regional resorts adjusting capacity and service models to meet the surge in demand. The tournament’s repositioning as the final major on the 2026 calendar further increased its strategic importance for players and sponsors, reinforcing expectations of high global broadcast interest and a strong international visitor presence.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Golf Fans, Local Businesses and Residents in Southport and Beyond

For golf fans, the return of The Open to Royal Birkdale offers a unique opportunity to experience one of the sport’s most historic venues during a edition that carries added significance as the season’s final major. The introduction of “The Open Experiences” ticket options is likely to broaden access for different types of visitors, including families and casual fans, while also providing premium experiences for dedicated followers. This could lead to higher attendance overall, more diverse crowds, and increased global media attention on the tournament village and surrounding areas.

Local businesses in Southport and the wider Sefton area are expected to benefit from a substantial increase in demand for accommodation, dining, retail and leisure services during the 12–19 July period. Hotels like Formby Hall and nearby resorts are already adapting their packages to capture tournament-related revenue, which could translate into higher employment, extended seasonal shifts, and new marketing opportunities for regional operators. However, this surge may also create pressure on transport networks and public services, meaning that businesses will need to manage expectations around wait times, prices and availability.

Residents of Southport and neighbouring communities may experience both advantages and challenges from the tournament’s return. On the positive side, the event can bring increased footfall, local pride, and potential long-term investment in infrastructure and tourism facilities. On the other hand, residents living close to the course or main transport routes could face temporary disruptions from traffic, security checks and crowd movements, particularly during practice days and championship rounds. Well-coordinated planning between The R&A, Sefton Council and emergency services will be critical to ensure that the benefits of the event are maximised while minimising inconvenience for local households.