The 2026 Open Championship is listed as taking place in Merseyside, the English county containing Southport and Royal Birkdale Golf Club. The tournament is scheduled for 16–19 July 2026.
Royal Birkdale is located in Southport, a coastal town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton. Although Southport is historically associated with Lancashire, modern administrative geography places it within Merseyside, which was created as a metropolitan county in 1974. That distinction explains why the county answer can surprise readers familiar with the area’s older identity.
Royal Birkdale is one of Britain’s most celebrated links courses and has hosted The Open many times. Previous editions there include the championships won by Mark O’Meara in 1998, Tom Watson in 1983, Johnny Miller in 1976 and Padraig Harrington in 2008. The 2017 Open at the course was won by Jordan Spieth.
The main mix-up is with Lancashire, the historic county adjoining Merseyside. Southport’s historic and cultural links to Lancashire remain strong, but the 2026 event’s listed modern location is Merseyside.