Record-breaking crowds expected at The 153rd Open
A historic moment is set to unfold this summer as The 153rd Open returns to Royal Portrush, with The R&A confirming that 278,000 spectators will attend between July 13–20. This marks the largest crowd ever recorded for an Open Championship held outside of St Andrews.
Interest has soared following the championship’s successful return to the Antrim Coast in 2019, where Irishman Shane Lowry famously secured victory. Over one million applications were submitted for tickets this year, surpassing the attendance record of 237,750 set during Lowry’s triumph six years ago.
Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, remarked:
“The Open is one of the world’s great sporting events and we will do everything we can to make this year’s Championship at Royal Portrush an outstanding and memorable occasion for everyone involved from fans to players and the millions watching on TV and digital platforms worldwide.
“The passion and enthusiasm for golf throughout the island of Ireland is world-renowned and is clearly reflected in the extraordinary demand among fans to be part of this historic occasion. We look forward to welcoming a record crowd to these spectacular links for a true celebration of golf and seeing who emerges from the 156-strong field to become Champion Golfer of the Year.”
Northern Ireland’s Biggest Sporting Event to Date
The Open is set to become the largest sporting event ever staged in Northern Ireland. According to a forecast by the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) at Sheffield Hallam University, the total economic benefit for the region is expected to exceed £213 million. This includes an estimated £63 million in direct economic impact and more than £150 million in global exposure through broadcast and digital media.
Darbon noted:
“It’s clear that staging a major event such as The Open can generate significant economic benefits for the locations in which they are held and this study demonstrates the huge benefit that the Championship brings.
“We are grateful to the government and local agencies in Northern Ireland for their investment and support in bringing the Championship back to Royal Portrush after the success of 2019. Their enthusiasm and expertise has been crucial to our planning and we thank them for the work they have contributed towards making this possible.”
Tourism Northern Ireland’s Director of Events, Aine Kearney, added:
“With less than three months to go until The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, excitement is building and all the partners involved in the delivery of the Championship are working in collaboration to make it even bigger and more memorable than 2019.
“The Open in 2019 brought huge economic benefits, not just to the North Coast, but to the whole of Northern Ireland and 2025 will be no different.
“It is shaping up to be another world-class sporting event which presents us with an invaluable opportunity to further raise Northern Ireland’s profile as a must-see travel and golf destination as well as a fantastic place to invest.”
A Championship for All Ages
This year’s Open also continues its commitment to accessibility for younger audiences through The R&A’s longstanding Kids Go Free initiative. More than 27,000 free tickets have been made available for under-16s, with discounted pricing for those under 25. Since the programme began in 1997, over 430,000 young fans have attended The Open at no cost.
Attendance is also expected to hit new highs during the four Practice Days, with 89,000 fans anticipated—well above the 61,000 who came for the same days in 2019.
In addition, the Open Camping Village remains a popular lodging option, particularly for families and younger fans. This year, 4,600 people have booked to stay, with 32% of those under 25. Since its inception in 2016 at Royal Troon, the initiative has provided 20,000 free bed nights to this age group.
