When is the Open Championship 2026? Dates, TV schedule, latest odds

Jul 13, 2026 - 10:25

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The world's oldest golf tournament turns 154 this week when the Open Championship — also known as the British Open — tees off Thursday in the very early hours for viewers in Florida and the U.S. East Coast.

Scottie Scheffler took home the claret jug in 2025 at Royal Portrush, but he comes into this year's Open having missed his first cut in four years at the Scottish Open. The world No. 1 and four-time major champion has looked shakier than usual all year but still has two top-five finishes at majors, including a runner-up showing at the Masters to his biggest rival, Rory McIlroy.

Both will come into Royal Birkdale as favorites to win, though the stacked field will have something to say about that. Chris Gotterup has been the winningest golfer on the PGA Tour this season, while Wyndham Clark and Aaron Rai hope to claim half the year's major titles. Brooks Koepka tied for sixth the last time the Open came here in 2017; maybe he'll shake off back-to-back missed cuts to get back on track.

Watch British Open live on Sling

McIlroy was the last man from the United Kingdom to win the Open Championship in 2014. Will Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre or Justin Rose break that trend this weekend? Here's what to know.

When is the British Open?

The 2026 Open Championship begins in the early morning hours Eastern time Thursday, July 16 and concludes Sunday afternoon, July 19.

How to watch Open Championship: British Open TV schedule

All times Eastern.

Thursday, July 16:Peacock (1:30-4 a.m.) | USA Network (4 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Friday, July 17: Peacock (1:30-4 a.m.) | USA Network (4 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Saturday, July 18: USA Network (5-7 a.m.) | NBC (7 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Sunday, July 19: USA Network (4-7 a.m.) | NBC (7 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Live streaming:Sling (for USA) | Fubo (for NBC, free trial)

Rounds 1-2 of the 2026 Open Championship will be broadcast via streaming on Peacock starting at 1:30 a.m. ET before switching to USA Network at 4 a.m. July 16-17. Rounds 3-4 will begin on USA at 5 a.m. July 18 and 4 a.m. July 19 before switching to NBC at 7 a.m. both days. Streaming options include Sling, which carries USA Network, and Fubo, which carries NBC and offers a free trial for new subscribers.

British Open odds

Odds according to BetMGM.

Scottie Scheffler: +600
Rory McIlroy: +700
Matt Fitzpatrick: +1600
Tommy Fleetwood: +1600
Jon Rahm: +2200
Xander Schauffele: +2200

Where is the British Open being played this year?

The Open Championship comes to Royal Birkdale Golf Club for the 11th time in 2026. The club was established in 1889, while its current course was put in place in 1897. Take a look back through the Open champions at Royal Birkdale:

2017: Jordan Spieth
2008: Padraig Harrington
1998: Mark O'Meara
1991: Ian Baker-Finch
1983: Tom Watson
1976: Johnny Miller
1971: Lee Trevino
1965: Peter Thompson
1961: Arnold Palmer
1954: Peter Thomson

British Open winners

The field for the 2026 Open Championship includes 15 prior winners of the event, including the champion from the past 10 years (excluding 2020, when the tournament was canceled because of the COVID pandemic).