Royal return for Open Championship

Tuesday, 28 April 2026 07:15

By Central Radio News

The 156th Open Championship will return to Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2028 after a 16-year absence.

Partners across the Fylde Coast have been working alongside The R&A to once again host one of the world’s premier sporting events at one of the greatest links courses.

The historic Royal Lytham & St Annes course has hosted The Open 11 times, with the most recent in 2012 when Ernie Els lifted his second Claret Jug.

It is one of golf's most cherished venues, first hosting The Open in 1926 when Bobby Jones won the title. The course has welcomed the Championship on ten previous occasions, delivering a series of famous winners including Tony Jacklin, Tom Lehman, Gary Player, David Duval, and Seve Ballesteros, who claimed two Claret Jugs in 1979 and 1988.

Allan Oldfield, Chief Executive of Fylde Council, said: "Partners have worked tirelessly over the last few years to secure the return of the Championship to the Fylde Coast, finding solutions to several logistical challenges that have arisen due to the growth and expansion of this major world event.

‘’We are delighted that The R&A has made the decision to return to what is one of the best links golf courses in the world. The economic benefit this will bring to the Fylde and wider Lancashire region will be immense.

‘’Work is already underway to host the best Championship ever at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2028, and on many other occasions to come."

Golf fans eager to register their interest in attending The 156th Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes can do so at TheOpen.com, and can find travel and accommodation information through the Discover Fylde website or by contacting touristinformation@fylde.gov.uk.

Royal Lytham & St Annes will also welcome the world's best women's golfers for the AIG Women's Open from 29 July to 2 August this year.