The 2026 Open Championship field contains 156 players. The starting field is assembled through exemptions, qualifying events and other routes established by the R&A.
The championship is the 154th edition of The Open and is scheduled for 16–19 July 2026 at Royal Birkdale in Southport. The field brings together leading players from the world rankings, past major champions, players who qualify through professional tours and golfers who earn places through Open qualifying.
The number 156 refers to the players starting the championship, not the number who necessarily complete all four rounds. After the first two rounds, a cut reduces the field to the players who meet the scoring requirement, along with any players tied at the qualifying position.
This field size is also easy to confuse with the tournament’s edition number. The 2026 event is the 154th Open Championship, but it has 156 competitors. The exact final list can change before play because of withdrawals and replacements, while the announced starting-field target remains 156.