Here’s one of Southport’s best golf experiences this week

As thousands of golf fans arrive in Southport for The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, many visitors are asking the same question.

What can you do if you don’t have a ticket?

One answer is just a ten-minute walk from the championship course.

Throughout Open Week, Scottsdale Golf has transformed Southport & Birkdale Sports Club into The Major Golf Festival, creating a free-to-enter fan village that captures the excitement of one of golf’s biggest weeks while welcoming everyone, whether you have a ticket to Royal Birkdale or not.

Open daily from Monday 13 July until Sunday 19 July, the festival has been designed as a place for golf fans, families and visitors to spend time together before or after play. There is no admission charge and no requirement to hold a ticket for The Open.

Visitors will find live golf coverage alongside football on the big screen, food and drink, live DJs and entertainment, outdoor golf simulators, interactive challenges, a 60-foot Long Putt Challenge, exclusive merchandise, brand activations and giveaways throughout the week. Scottsdale Golf has also announced appearances from creators, industry figures and special guests, creating a festival atmosphere that extends well beyond the golf course itself.

During a visit this week, one thing stood out immediately. The welcome.

The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and genuinely inclusive. Whether you’re a lifelong golf fan or simply looking for somewhere to enjoy the excitement surrounding The Open, the festival offers another way to experience what is one of Southport’s biggest weeks.

Its location also makes it particularly convenient. Sitting on Trafalgar Road at Southport & Birkdale Sports Club, it’s close enough to Royal Birkdale for visitors to easily walk between the two, while offering plenty of space to relax, eat, watch the action and enjoy the entertainment throughout the day.

The Open always brings an international audience to Southport, but it also shines a spotlight on the wider town. Independent cafés, restaurants, shops and attractions all play their part in creating the visitor experience, and events such as The Major Golf Festival give people even more reasons to explore beyond the championship gates.

If you’re visiting Southport this week, or you’re local and looking to enjoy the atmosphere, The Major Golf Festival is well worth adding to your itinerary.

The Major Golf Festival
📍 Southport & Birkdale Sports Club, Trafalgar Road, Southport PR8 2HF

• Free entry
• Monday 13 July to Sunday 19 July
• Around a 10-minute walk from Royal Birkdale
• Live golf and football on the big screen
• Food, drinks and entertainment
• Golf challenges and simulators
• Family-friendly atmosphere

Sometimes you don’t need a ticket to enjoy one of the biggest sporting weeks of the year. You just need to know where the atmosphere continues.