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GETTING
TO THE GROUNDS
The 154th Open will be played at Royal Birkdale from 12 to 19 July 2026.
Tens of thousands of spectators will attend throughout the week. To minimise road traffic congestion and reduce the Championship’s carbon footprint, The R&A is recommending that spectators consider the use of public transport, which will be significantly enhanced for travel convenience, or car share with others in their group. Those staying in the local area are encouraged to consider active travel (walking, wheeling or cycling).
For more updated information, please visit the The Open Official website or download The Open App.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT & ACTIVE TRAVEL
BY RAIL
Merseyrail will be running frequent train services to Hillside, the nearest station for Royal Birkdale. Hillside station is a short five minute walk from the main spectator entrance to The Open.
Easy connections to the Merseyrail Northern Line are available from across the wider rail network, including Southport, Ormskirk, Headbolt Lane, Liverpool South Parkway and Liverpool Central stations.
Customers arriving at Liverpool Lime Street can make the short ten minute walk to Liverpool Central to join Merseyrail services to Hillside.
Trains are expected to be busier than usual during The Open, so please allow extra time for your journey. Train times and ticket information will be available at merseyrail.org/theopen closer to the event.
Northern Rail provides rail services across the North of England, with convenient connections for customers travelling to Southport. Customers can travel on Northern Rail services to key interchange stations including Manchester, Wigan and Liverpool. From these stations, direct services are available to Southport.
Southport station will be the main arrival point for customers attending The 154th Open, with connecting trains to nearby Hillside Station.
Train services are expected to be busy during The 154th Open, so please allow extra time for your journey. For the latest timetable updates and ticket information, please visit the Northern Rail website.
ACTIVE TRAVEL
Bicycle parking will be available near the public entrance for those wishing to cycle to the venue. For more information on the cycle network around Birkdale visit the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.
BY TAXI
There will be a designated taxi rank and private hire drop off/pick-up area in operation for The 154th Open from 12-19 July. This will be located close to the main public entrance to the course. On approach to The Open, ask the driver to follow the AA directional signs for taxis. Demand for taxi and private hire vehicles is expected to be high, so it is strongly recommended to book in advance.
BY ROAD
There will be no public car parking at Royal Birkdale or in the immediate surrounding area. All public parking will be located at The Open Park & Ride facilities, where dedicated buses will be available to transport spectators to the course.
Spectators choosing to travel to the event by car or motorcycle will be directed to The Open Park & Ride sites by Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) and specific black and yellow event signs provided by The AA.
Park & Ride facilities will cater for spectators travelling by road and allow for them to be dropped off and picked up at locations close to the entrance points at the venue. While they are designed to minimise congestion in busy areas by reducing the number of vehicles accessing Birkdale and the surrounding area, traffic volumes will still be higher than normal during the week of The Open. Please note overnight parking is not permitted at The Open Park & Ride facilities.
Charges for use of the Park & Ride will apply. Passes are available to purchase via The Open website.
DIRECTIONS
Fans are advised to turn off satellite navigation systems and follow the appropriate signage to ensure the smoothest journey to and from The Open.
From the North (Carlisle & Newscastle)
Follow the M6 towards Preston. Exit the M6 at Junction 32 onto the M55 Preston Northern Bypass. Exit at Junction 2 onto the A582 taking a left onto The A583 Riversway. Follow signs for the A59 and remain on the A59 / A565 towards Southport. On approach to Southport, follow signs The Open Park & Ride.
From the East / South East (Manchester, Yorkshire & Birmingham)
Follow the M6 and exit at Junction 26 to travel west on the M58. Exit at Junction 3 to travel north on the A570 Ormskirk Road and follow signs for The Open Park & Ride.
From the South (South Sefton, Liverpool & Wirral)
Follow the A565 towards Southport. On approach to Southport, follow signs for The Open Park & Ride.
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