Get ready for an exciting climax to the men's major season as The Open 2026 takes center stage at Royal Birkdale. This year's tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with round-the-clock coverage exclusively on Sky Sports.
The Contenders
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, the world's number one golfer, is the pre-tournament favorite to claim his fifth major title in a row. However, he's not the only one with his eyes on the prestigious Claret Jug. Rory McIlroy, fresh from his victory at The Masters in April, is aiming for his second Open win.
The home crowd will be cheering on Tommy Fleetwood, a native of Southport, who hopes to become the first English winner since Sir Nick Faldo in 1992. Other notable English contenders include Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton, and Aaron Rai, the PGA Championship winner in May.
Jordan Spieth, the last winner at Royal Birkdale in 2017, will be back to defend his title. Other high-profile names in the mix include Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, and Cameron Young.
Sky Sports' Coverage
Sky Sports is once again the exclusive broadcaster of The Open in the UK and Ireland, with an extensive coverage schedule. Over 75 hours of live action will be broadcast across the seven days of the tournament.
Coverage begins at 9 am for the three practice days, with the main event starting at 6.30 am on Thursday, July 16, on Sky Sports Golf. There will be at least 15 hours of coverage from the first two rounds, with bonus feeds available on Sky Sports+ and the Sky Sports app. Extended coverage begins at 9 am on Saturday, July 18, and 8 am on Sunday, July 19.
'Saturday at The Open' and 'Sunday at The Open' will offer additional coverage, including shot center challenges, special guests, and fun features.
Featured Groups and Extra Coverage
Each day, Sky Sports will feature four separate groups, with two in the morning and two in the afternoon. These groups and their timings will be confirmed once the tee times are announced.
Two extra sessions of 'The Open: At the Range' will be live during both Thursday's and Friday's rounds, offering additional insights and analysis. A new addition this year is a dedicated feed for a marquee player during the afternoon coverage of the first and second rounds.
Daily one-hour highlights will be available, along with live coverage of the Corales Puntacana Championship.
Key TV Times
Here's a breakdown of the key TV times for The Open (all times in BST and on Sky Sports Golf):
- Monday, July 13: 9 am - 12 pm and 2 pm - 6 pm - The Open: Live at the Range!
- Tuesday, July 14: 9 am - 12 pm and 2 pm - 6 pm - The Open: Live at the Range!
- Wednesday, July 15: 9 am - 12 pm - The Open: Live at the Range!
- 12 pm - 2 pm - Wednesday at The Open LIVE!
- 2 pm - 6 pm - The Open: Live at the Range!
- Thursday, July 16: 6.30 am - 9.30 pm - The Open: Day one LIVE!
- Friday, July 17: 6.30 am - 9.30 pm - The Open: Day two LIVE!
- Saturday, July 18: 9 am - 11 am - Saturday at The Open LIVE!
- 11 am - 8.30 pm - The Open: Day three LIVE!
- Sunday, July 19: 8 am - 10 am - Saturday at The Open LIVE!
- 10 am - 8 pm - The Open: Day four LIVE!
How to Watch
If you're a Sky customer, you can watch The Open on Sky Sports Golf, with additional coverage on Sky Sports Main Event. The Sky Sports app is also available for app-based viewing.
For non-Sky customers, streaming options are available through NOW, a streaming service offering day and month passes. A live blog will also be available for those on the move, and near-live clips and post-round highlights can be accessed for free on the Sky Sports app.
Conclusion
The Open 2026 at Royal Birkdale promises to be an unforgettable event, with a star-studded field and extensive coverage from Sky Sports. With so many talented golfers in contention, it's anyone's game. Will Scheffler make history by becoming the first back-to-back winner since Padraig Harrington? Or will McIlroy add another major to his collection? We'll have to tune in and find out!
Personally, I think this year's Open has all the ingredients for an epic battle. The course at Royal Birkdale is a true test of skill and strategy, and with the depth of talent on display, we're in for a treat. It's an exciting time for golf fans, and I can't wait to see how it all unfolds.
