Royal Birkdale to Host 2026 British Open

Birkdale last hosted the vent in 2017, where Jordan Spieth won the claret jug after a dramatic final round.

Royal Birkdale, where Jordan Spieth won the last British Open in 2017, has been named the 2026 venue for the championship.

The R&A made the announcement on Tuesday, a week ahead of the 151st Open to be played at Royal Liverpool in Hoylake, England starting July 20.

The Southport, England, course has hosted the championship 10 times, including Spieth’s memorable back-nine duel with Matt Kuchar in 2017. Other winners at Royal Birkdale include Peter Thomson, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Ian-Baker Finch, Mark O’Meara and Padraig Harrington.

“Royal Birkdale is a world-class championship venue and its outstanding links will once again provide the world’s best men’s professional golfers with a tough but fair test of their talents and capabilities as they compete for the Claret Jug,’’ said Martin Slumbers, CEO of the R&A, in a statement. “It has produced many memorable moments that are woven into the story of this historic Championship, including a dramatic final round in 2017 when Jordan Spieth won for the first time.

“We look forward to another special occasion in three years and it will be fascinating to see which player will emerge to join a list of renowned Champion Golfers to have won at Royal Birkdale.”

Next week’s tournament is the 151st Open, with the 152nd going to Royal Troon in Scotland next year and the 153rd headed to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland in 2025.

The Open currently has 10 venues in its rotation including the Old Course at St. Andrews, where Cam Smith won a year ago; Royal St. George’s, site of Collin Morikawa’s win in 2021; and Carnoustie, where Francesco Molinari triumphed in 2018.

Muirfield, site of Phil Mickelson’s win in 2013, will now go at least 14 years between Opens as it has not been named for a future site. Royal Lytham and St. Anne’s, where Ernie Els won his second Claret Jug in 2012, has also not received a return date. And Turnberry, where Stewart Cink defeated 59-year-old Tom Watson in a playoff in 2009, is also waiting for a return, having hosted the championship just four times.