Thousands travel to Merseyside for Royal Birkdale Open, Liverpool 2026

Key Points

• The 154th Open Championship has begun at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, Merseyside, attracting visitors and competitors from across the world.
• International players, qualifiers and last-chance entrants are taking part, with the Last-Chance Qualifier held to fill remaining tournament spots.
• Broad global media coverage and live broadcast schedules are in place, with major outlets providing TV and streaming details for viewers.
• Course changes and remodelling at Royal Birkdale have been noted by reporting outlets, with commentators describing a tougher test for the competitors.
• High-profile players, including established major contenders, are featured in pre-tournament coverage and interviews.
• Tournament organisers have published spectator guidance and there is heightened attention to fan conduct at Open events.

Inverted pyramid (Bold it)

Livepool (Liverpool standard) July 13, 2026 — The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club has drawn thousands of visitors to Merseyside as players from across the globe compete for golf’s final major of the 2026 season. As reported by PGA.com, broadcasters and tournament organisers have prepared comprehensive live coverage and streaming schedules for international audiences, while the R&A has arranged final qualifying rounds including a Last-Chance Qualifier to complete the field. Journalists from The Athletic and Reuters have described changes to the Royal Birkdale layout that pose a sterner test to players this year, with course remodel work influencing pre-tournament analysis.

Why are fans and players travelling to Royal Birkdale for the 154th Open Championship?

• As reported by PGA.com, the Open is one of golf’s four major championships and returning this year to Royal Birkdale brings players, officials and spectators to Southport for the full championship experience.
• The Open’s status as a global sporting event guarantees international interest from supporters and media alike, prompting large numbers of overseas guests to visit Merseyside for the week-long tournament.
• Coverage from Forbes and Sky Sports explains that detailed TV and streaming schedules have increased the event’s global reach, allowing fans to follow every round live whether in person or remotely.

Which players and qualifiers completed the field for Royal Birkdale?

• The final spots in the field were decided by qualifying events, including a Last-Chance Qualifier staged before the championship proper, as noted on The Open’s official site.
• Coverage from Reuters highlighted headline names and contenders arriving at Royal Birkdale, with some established major champions and leading professionals among the starters this week.
• Other reporting summarised the presence of promising international young players and regional qualifiers, underlining the event’s mix of experience and emerging talent.

How have course changes at Royal Birkdale affected expectations for play?

• The Athletic’s pre-tournament reporting pointed to remodels and changes to Royal Birkdale that make the course more demanding, altering strategy and club selection for top players.
• Observers and analysts cited in various previews suggested that the remodelling will test shot-making and course management in conditions that often include coastal wind and firm fairways, hallmark traits of links golf.
• These course alterations have been referenced by commentators as a factor likely to influence scoring patterns and leaderboard volatility during the championship.

Who is broadcasting and how can viewers watch the tournament?

• Sky Sports, Peacock and other international broadcasters have issued schedules and detailed coverage plans for The Open at Royal Birkdale, allowing viewers across territories to find live coverage windows and featured groups.
• PGA.com and Forbes published guides explaining how to watch the event via television and streaming platforms, noting key start times and channels for different regions.
• ESPN and other sports outlets provided context and analysis pieces to accompany live coverage, compiling previews, player features and schedule information for fans.

What safety or spectator conduct measures are in place this year?

• Reporting from Front Office Sports and similar outlets noted an industry-wide focus on spectator conduct, and The Open has emphasised guidance for fan behaviour and conduct to ensure a safe and respectful atmosphere during the championship.
• Organisers typically publish codes of conduct and guidance for attendees including entry rules, prohibited items and expected standards of behaviour and this year’s coverage underlined those measures in light of recent concerns about spectator behaviour at large sporting events.

Crowds, local impact and visitor experience

• Local reporting on the event emphasised the influx of visitors to Southport and the surrounding Merseyside area, with hotels, transport hubs and local businesses preparing for the surge in demand associated with a major championship.
• For many international visitors, attending The Open represents a combination of sporting interest and tourism, as fans explore the region’s coastal attractions alongside championship hospitality and on-course viewing experiences.
• Organisers and local authorities work together to manage crowd flow, traffic and public transport links during tournament week, a recurring focus for major events hosted on the northwest coast of England.

What are commentators and analysts saying ahead of first rounds?

• Analysis from Reuters and ESPN highlighted that several big names harbour strong memories or past success at Royal Birkdale and that their pre-tournament comments reflect confidence and respect for the course’s challenge.
• Commentators have also foregrounded the remodelling at Royal Birkdale, suggesting it could favour players with strategic links experience and the ability to adapt quickly to variable coastal conditions.
• Pundits and feature writers have set out viewing storylines including emerging contenders, potential surprise performers from qualifying events and the question of how the course changes will influence scoring across the week.

Background of the development

Royal Birkdale Golf Club on the Sefton coast has a long history as a venue for The Open Championship, returning periodically to host the tournament and to test the world’s best in classic links conditions. The Open’s qualifying structure, including regional qualifying and last-chance events, is established to ensure the field mixes exempt leading players with those who earn places through competitive qualifiers. In recent years The Open has also updated its spectator policies and event management practices to reflect changing expectations for large sporting events and to handle the operational demands of global broadcast and hospitality arrangements.

Prediction — how this development can affect spectators, local businesses and UK golf fans

• Spectators and global viewers: The extensive broadcast and streaming arrangements are likely to increase real-time global engagement, meaning more fans will consume the event remotely even as in-person attendance remains strong, enhancing the Open’s international profile.
• Local economy and businesses: The influx of visitors will boost hotels, restaurants and retail in Southport and the wider Merseyside area during tournament week, generating short-term economic gains while also testing local infrastructure and services.
• Players and competition: The remodelling and course set-up at Royal Birkdale may favour players with strong links experience and strategic shot-making, potentially producing tighter leaderboards and rewards for tactical play under windy or firm conditions.
• Event management and spectator experience: Continued focus on spectator conduct and safety measures could lead to clearer guidance for attendees and smoother operations, contributing to a more orderly atmosphere both on-course and in surrounding areas.