The Open at Royal Birkdale Golf Club: Sunday 12 July to Sunday 19 July 2026

The Open, also often referred to as the Open Championship or British Open, is the oldest and one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. It is the only major championship played outside the United States and is celebrated for its rich history, iconic links courses, and often unpredictable weather conditions. Winning the Claret Jug, the championship’s trophy for Champion Golfer of the Year, is considered one of golf’s greatest achievements.

In 2026 The Open will return to Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport for the 11th time, promising another thrilling chapter in golf’s storied history.

The Championship action takes place from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 July inclusive. Also, on the 4 days leading up to the main event from Sunday 12 to Wednesday 15 July, there are Practice Days which fans can attend – each with a unique offering, from a dramatic 12-player qualifying contest for the final Open spot, to short-form challenges testing the biggest names.

Up to 300,000 spectators are expected at The Open this year. With big numbers heading to the event, why not consider travelling there by train this year.

You can use the train to travel to and from The Open

Royal Birkdale Golf Club, which hosts the event, is situated in north-west England near the coastal town of Southport, which is approximately 18 miles north of Liverpool.

Royal Birkdale is easy to reach by train. Merseyrail will be running frequent train services to Hillside, the nearest station for Royal Birkdale. Hillside station is on the line between Liverpool Central and Southport, and is a short 5-minute walk from the main spectator entrance to The Open.

If you're travelling from outside Liverpool, your journey will probably involve changing trains at Liverpool Lime Street (which is a short distance from the Merseyrail Liverpool Central station) or at Southport.

If you’re travelling from London Euston, the journey time to the event will be between 3 and 4 hours. From Birmingham New Street the journey time is approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours, and from Manchester approximately 1 1/2 hours.

Relax and enjoy! Travelling by train is one of the easiest ways to get to The Open and will be very popular.

Which railway station should I travel to for The Open?

You should go to Hillside station.

You can use the National Rail journey planner to plan your travel between your local station and Hillside.

Hillside station is on the Merseyrail network and Merseyrail will be running frequent train services to Hillside. There is step-free access via lifts to the station platforms. The latest Merseyrail travel information can be found on their website event page.

There are no planned daytime railway engineering works in the Liverpool area on the four Championship days of the event. However, there will be a reduced frequency Avanti West Coast train service between London Euston and Liverpool Lime Street on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July.

Will the trains to and from Hillside, and the station itself, be busy?

The Open is a big event, and large crowds are expected, so the answer is yes.

Merseyrail will be using their experience of big events in the Liverpool area, like the Grand National, to provide you with the best possible travel experience. Seats aren't reservable on Merseyrail.

What tickets do I need to buy?

You’ll need to buy train tickets to make your train journey between your local station and Hillside station.

For event entry itself a ticket is required and the demand for tickets is very high. General Admission tickets for the 4 Championship days (Thursday to Sunday) are sold out following a ballot which closed last year. Information on other ticket options can be found on The Open website.

Can I get an Advance train ticket to travel to the event?

You can make your journey easier by buying your train tickets in advance.

A full range of train tickets to and from the event, including Advance tickets when available, can be purchased before your journey. Check out our Advance tickets page for more information on the savings that can be made for your trip.

Can I use my Railcard to buy train tickets?

Yes. You can use your Railcard on train tickets, including Advance tickets, for even more savings on your journey. A Railcard saves up to 1/3 on rail fares across Britain and is just £35 for 1 year. Once you purchase your Railcard, you can download your card straight to your phone – it couldn’t be easier. With average annual savings of up to £173 it pays for itself in no time. Find the best Railcard for you at railcard.co.uk.

Where can I find out more about this event, including accessibility?

Lots of information about Royal Birkdale, and The Open event taking place there, can be found on The Open website.

The event organisers have also provided useful accessibility information in a downloadable Accessibility Guide.