The final men’s major of the golf season is here. The 154th Open Championship returns to the legendary Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, running from July 16 to July 19, 2026.
Since Jordan Spieth’s iconic victory here in 2017, Royal Birkdale has undergone a major redesign, featuring a dramatically rebuilt par-4 5th hole and a stunning new par-3 15th.
All eyes are on defending champion Scottie Scheffler. After his dominant four-shot victory at Royal Portrush in 2025, the world No. 1 is chasing back-to-back Claret Jugs. Standing in his way is a world-class field, including home favourite Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, and Ireland’s Shane Lowry.
Open Championship 2026 Key Dates & Timeline
- Practice Days & Qualifying: Sunday, July 12 – Wednesday, July 15, 2026
- Championship Play Begins: Thursday, July 16, 2026
- Championship Play Ends: Sunday, July 19, 2026
- 154th Open Champion Crowned: Sunday, July 19, 2026
- Host Venue: Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, Merseyside, England
How to Watch the Open Championship in Ireland Live
Sky Sports is the exclusive broadcaster of The Open in Ireland, with live coverage across Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event every day of tournament week.
You can watch the tournament on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Golf from July 16 with the Sky Essential TV, Sky Sports & Sports Extra plan for €44/mo.Â
Another way to catch all the action is by subscribing to the NOW TV Sports Extra plan for €33.99/mo (currently discounted to €17/mo).
Here’s how to watch the Open Championship 2026 in Ireland on desktop:
Step 1: Go to Now TV‘s official website and click on Sports.
Step 2: Select any Sports Extra plan to access Sky Sports
Step 3: Enter your personal details to create a new account and pay to complete the subscription.
Step 5:Â Enjoy watching the Open Championship once live!
How to Watch Open Championship in Ireland for Free
Stream every match on your mobile on free streaming apps like SportzX or RBTV33 by sideloading their APKs.
Or, you can stream the US Open Golf via free sports websites like viprow.nu/ OR vipleague.pm/Â directly through your browser.
However, these free streaming sources can be unreliable, so you must use a trusted VPN while streaming.
Here’s how to watch the Open Championship for free in Ireland on mobile:
Step 1: Download and install the Surfshark VPN App. Connect to any server, e.g., France.
Step 2: Download and install SportzX APK.
Step 3: Open the app and go to the Sports section
 Step 4: Select Sky Sports
Step 5: Select Sky Main Event or Sky Sports Golf.
Step 6: Start streaming once the Open Championship is live!
Open Championship 2026Â
Here is the live Sky Sports schedule for each round of the 154th Open Championship, in Irish time.
| Date | Round | Broadcast Time (Irish Time) |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 16 | Round 1 | 6:30 AM – 9:30 PM |
| Friday, July 17 | Round 2 | 6:30 AM – 9:30 PM |
| Saturday, July 18 | Round 3 | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Sunday, July 19 | Final Round | 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
2026 Open Championship Highlights to Watch For
The 154th Open brings a few storylines Irish fans will want to follow closely:
Irish Interest: Shane Lowry tees it up alongside Aaron Rai and Brooks Koepka, while Rory McIlroy chases a second Claret Jug.
The Amateur’s Route: Gavin Grehan qualified for Royal Birkdale after winning The Amateur Championship, earning his spot against the world’s best.
Home Favourite: Southport native Tommy Fleetwood is bidding to become the first Englishman to win The Open since 1992.
A Redesigned Course: Royal Birkdale’s par-4 5th hole has been rebuilt and a new par-3 15th added since the 2017 Open.
Other Golf & Sports Events to Watch in Ireland
If you’re a golf fan, here’s a list of other major sporting events you can watch in Ireland.
- Watch the FIFA Club World Cup in Ireland
- Watch the NBA in Ireland
- Watch NRL in Ireland
- Watch AFL in Ireland
FAQs – Open Championship 2026
1. What is the Open Championship?
The Open Championship, also known as the British Open, is golf’s oldest major, first played in 1860. It’s the final men’s major of the golfing calendar and awards the winner the famous Claret Jug.
2. When and where is the 2026 Open Championship?
The 154th Open runs from July 16-19, 2026 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, Merseyside, England.
3. How can I watch The Open in Ireland?
Sky Sports holds exclusive rights to The Open in Ireland. You can stream every round through NOW’s Sports Membership, or via the Sky Go app if you’re already a Sky TV customer.
4. Are there any Irish players in the 2026 Open?
Yes – Shane Lowry is competing, and Gavin Grehan qualified through his win at The Amateur Championship.
5. How many players compete in the Open Championship?
The Open features a 156-player field, made up of past champions, major winners, top-ranked players, and qualifiers.
Conclusion
The 154th Open Championship tees off on July 16 and runs through July 19, 2026, at Royal Birkdale. Scottie Scheffler is defending his title against a field that includes Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Ireland’s Shane Lowry.
You can watch the Open Championship in Ireland live on Sky Sports or with a free alternative using a VPN. Surfshark is our #1 choice.
