Future Open Championship venues
Golf’s oldest major is heading back to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Merseyside in the next few years…
Welcome to our forward-looking guide, ‘Future Open Championship venues.
As golf enthusiasts and followers of the Open Championship, there’s always excitement in anticipating where future editions of golf’s oldest major will be held.
The diverse and iconic courses selected to host this prestigious event play a crucial role in shaping the narrative of the championship, adding their unique flavour to the rich history of the Open.
In this guide, we will provide a glimpse into the upcoming venues that will become the battleground for the Claret Jug.
These courses, handpicked by the R&A, are steeped in tradition and offer unique challenges that will test the mettle of the world’s top golfers.
From the historic fairways of St Andrews to the rugged dunes of Royal Birkdale, each of these future venues tells its own compelling story within the broader narrative of the Open Championship.
Here are the future Open Championship venues confirmed by the R&A…
Open Championship Future Venues
2024
Eight years after Henrik Stenson went toe-to-toe with Phil Mickelson in one of the most memorable final rounds in Open history the tournament returns to the Ayrshire layout. 2024 will be the 10th time that Troon will have hosted the famous championship.
- The 152nd Open will be played at Royal Troon from July 14-21, 2024
2025
Six years after it returned to Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951, Royal Portrush has been confirmed as the venue for the 153rd Open in 2025. It follows the huge success of the 2019 edition, which was won by Shane Lowry.
Martin Slumbers, R&A chief executive, said: “We could not be more thrilled to be bringing The Open back to Royal Portrush in 2025. There will be huge excitement among golf fans around the world to see the best men’s players facing the challenge of these magnificent links once again.
“The Open in 2019 was a massive success and showed just how much collective enthusiasm, passion and commitment there is to make Royal Portrush one of the leading venues for the Championship and to build a distinctive golf tourism brand for Northern Ireland.
“We greatly appreciate the support we have received from the Northern Ireland Executive, our partner agencies and, of course, from the Club and its members. We look forward to working with them to deliver another fantastic celebration of golf in four years’ time.”
- The 153rd Open will be played at Royal Portrush from July 13-20, 2025.
2026
We will head back to Royal Birkdale in 2026 – the scene of Jordan Spieth’s dramatic, but excellent victory over Matt Kuchar in 2017.
The Merseyside links has hosted the event 10 times and has seen Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson lift the Claret Jug in front of the iconic white clubhouse.
Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, said: “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.”
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. Royal Birkdale Golf Club has a rich history with The Open having hosted it ten times previously.”
“We look forward to welcoming the world’s best golfers to our magnificent course and providing them with a true test of links golf. The Club is already working hard to ensure that The Open in 2026 will be an unforgettable event for players, spectators and fans around the globe.”
- The 154th Open will be played at Royal Birkdale from July 16-19, 2026.
Future Open Championship venues: 2030?
Did players at the 2022 Open inadvertently reveal when The Open will next visit St Andrews?
The Home of Golf has hosted golf’s oldest major 30 times – and since 1990 on years ending 0 and 5, though that was switched up so it could hold the 150th edition.
And with Hoylake hosting in 2023, Troon in 2024, and Portrush in 2025, there has been talk about when the Claret Jug will return to this famous links.
It seems we will have to wait until 2030 if Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm are to be believed.
When talking about whether or not he will return to St Andrews for another Open, Woods said: “I think the next one comes around in 2030, and I don’t know if I will be physically able to play by then.”
While Rahm, on the same subject, added: “From what I heard, it will be in 2030, which is eight years from now, which is probably a few years too long.”
If true, it will be the third longest break from St Andrews in Open history, behind the 11-year gap from 1910 to 1921, which incorporated the First World War, and the nine-year wait from 1946 to 1955.
Since the 151st Open at Hoylake, there has been much speculation around Portmarnock in Ireland and its suitability to host The Open.
Both Rory McIlroy and Paul McGinley have talked up the prospect of the Dublin course hosting golf’s oldest major.
FAQs
Q1: Who decides the future venues for the Open Championship?
A: The future venues for the Open Championship are chosen by the R&A, which is the governing body for the tournament.
Q2: How many future venues for the Open Championship are known?
A: Generally, the R&A announces the venues for the Open Championship several years in advance. However, the exact number of future venues known can vary.
Q3: Are future venues for the Open Championship always in the UK?
A: Yes, all the venues for the Open Championship are located in the UK. The Open Championship is traditionally rotated among a select group of courses in Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland.
Q4: How are venues for the Open Championship chosen?
A: While the R&A has not made their selection criteria public, factors like the historical significance of the course, the challenge it presents to players, and the infrastructure to host large crowds are likely considered.
Please note: The answers provided above are accurate up to my training cut-off in September 2021. For the most recent information, please check the latest resources or the official Open Championship website.
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