The Open Championship is one of the oldest golf tournaments in the world. The first tournament was held in Scotland in 1860. It is one of the four major golf championships, together with the Masters, the PGA Championship and the US Open. In fact, The Open is the only major that is played outside the United States and without the classic “perfect and polished” American golf atmosphere.
Simply put, it is like Wimbledon, but with wind, rain and the smell of the sea.
What makes The Open different from other golf championships?
The main difference is the links courses. As mentioned above, The Open is played on very special coastal golf courses, with strong wind, sand dunes and a wild natural landscape. This is golf in its most traditional and unpredictable form. If you have ever played on an American golf course, you probably understand what “American precision” means. But here, this approach does not always work. At The Open, players must adapt to nature, understand the wind and be able to play low shots. All of this makes the tournament very exciting both for spectators and for the players themselves.
Main venues of The Open Championship
Some of the most famous venues include:
- St Andrews Old Course, often called the “Home of Golf”. The 150th Open was held here in 2022.
- Royal Troon Golf Club, host of The Open in 2024.
- Royal Liverpool Golf Club, host of The Open in 2023.
- Royal St George’s Golf Club, host of The Open in 2021.
- Carnoustie Golf Links.
Each course has its own history, character and atmosphere.
Where will The Open Championship 2026 take place?
In 2026, The Open Championship will be held at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England.
Royal Birkdale is one of the most challenging courses in the championship. It is known for strong winds from the Irish Sea, high dunes and narrow fairways.
In general, The Open is not only about VIP boxes and champagne. Of course, this will also be part of the experience. But the real atmosphere is closer to English old-money culture: professional players fighting not only against each other, but also against the elements, wind that can change every few minutes, and spectators in tweed jackets.
Unlike some more “sterile” American championships, where the show itself becomes the main focus, The Open feels more like culture and tradition. You are invited to enter this world for a few days, watch it closely and become part of it.
How to get to The Open 2026: from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Southport
There are no direct flights from the UAE to Southport, of course. However, there are several convenient travel options.
Heathrow Airport, London
There are direct flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow. There are also many good business-class options. This is a great choice if you also plan to spend a few days in London for shopping, restaurants or meetings.
From London, you can take a high-speed train from London Euston Station to Liverpool. The journey takes around 2 hours. Another option is to fly from London to Manchester.
Manchester Airport
In my opinion, Manchester is the most convenient option if your main goal is to attend the championship. Emirates and Etihad Airways operate flights from the UAE to Manchester, with a flight time of around 7-8 hours.
From Manchester to Southport, it takes around 1 hour by car or about 1.5 hours by train.
Where to stay during The Open Championship in Southport
It is important to understand that Southport is not a large city. During The Open Championship, hotels are usually booked very quickly.
The Vincent Hotel
A modern boutique hotel with a restaurant and bar. It is around 10–15 minutes by car from the golf course.
The Bold Hotel
Recently renovated, with a stylish new interior. It is also around 10–15 minutes by car from the course.
Formby area
This can be described as a hidden luxury location. It is surrounded by dunes, pine forests and private houses. The drive to Royal Birkdale is also around 10–15 minutes.
If you prefer more luxury, evening atmosphere and nightlife, Liverpool can be a better option. It is around 1 hour by car from the course. In Liverpool, you can consider Titanic Hotel Liverpool, an industrial-style luxury hotel with very large rooms and a spa. This combination is quite rare in the UK. Another good option is INNSiDE by Meliá, a modern hotel with excellent panoramic views of the city.
What about UK visas from Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 2026?
In general, the UK is a convenient destination for travellers from the UAE. You can usually apply for a UK visa from the UAE quite quickly, sometimes within 24–48 hours. The visa itself is often issued for a longer validity period. However, extra attention is needed if you are applying for the first time or if you have had a previous refusal.
The most important points are to complete the application form correctly, avoid mistakes and present a clear and transparent financial history for the last few months.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Open Championship 2026
Prices vary depending on the day and ticket type:
– Practice days: £50-£100
– Main competition days: £100-£150
– Final day: £150-£200
VIP hospitality packages usually range from £500 to £1,500 per day.
There is no strict dress code. No one will check what you are wearing at the entrance.
However, there is an unwritten style:
– Smart casual
– Very comfortable shoes (you will walk a lot)
– Layered clothing (due to wind, changing weather and possible rain)
You will also often see tweed jackets, polo shirts and chinos. But people generally do not dress in an overly formal or flashy way.
In recent years, the total prize fund has been around £16 000 000.
The winner receives approximately £3 000 000.
However, the real value is not just the money. Winning The Open means becoming part of golf history – and that is truly priceless.
There are three main options:
– Standard service: usually takes 3 to 6 weeks
– Priority service: around 5 to 7 working days
– Super Priority service: 1-2 working days
One important thing to keep in mind: before the summer season or major events like The Open, processing times can increase. So it is better to apply for your visa in advance.
It is important to distinguish between UAE citizens and UAE residents.
UAE citizens: yes, they can travel without a traditional visa. However, they still need to apply online through the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) system. This usually takes 1–3 days. They can stay in the UK for up to 6 months.
UAE residents (with residency but holding passports from other countries, such as India, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon): they need a standard UK visa under normal requirements.
