The 154th Open opens at Royal Birkdale, with Sky Sports providing 75+ hours of live coverage. The tournament begins Thursday July 16 at 6:30 am BST and runs through Sunday July 19, delivering the final major of the 2026 season.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler returns from Royal Portrush, targeting a first back‑to‑back Open win since Padraig Harrington. Rory Mc Ilroy seeks a second Claret Jug after last month’s Masters. British hope centers on Tommy Fleetwood, the first English winner since 1992, while Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton and Aaron Rai aim to break the drought.

Sky Sports broadcasts every round live, with extended play on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Viewers can switch to the Sky Sports+ app for Featured Groups and a player‑feed, while non‑Sky customers stream via NOW with a free day pass. A live blog offers real‑time updates for those on the move.

The Open’s outcome will cement the season’s standing for the favorites and set the tone for the remaining majors. A win for Scheffler or Mc Ilroy would sensitize the championship narrative and alter the world rankings heading into the final events.