​There are very few golf courses that have earned universal praise from players, golf fans, architects, and spectators quite like Royal Birkdale. The Southport links has undergone substantial changes since Jordan Spieth lifted the Claret Jug there in 2017. Yet it remains a venue that offers the R&A more than just championship golf, with many of the alterations also helping to future-proof the site.
As the Open constantly grows in scale—record crowds are anticipated for this year’s tournament—host venues must accommodate more than ever. This includes soaring spectator numbers, expansive hospitality villages, broadcast equipment, and the infrastructure necessary to deliver one of the world’s premier golf events. As preparations continue for the 2026 edition of the final men’s major of the year, the NCG Top 100s Podcast explored why Birkdale has become one of the R&A’s most valuable assets—and why it could be the ideal home for contemporary major golf.
On the podcast, Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy discussed Birkdale’s championship pedigree, logistical practicality, and spectator experience, weighing whether it represents the perfect stage for a modern major. “Birkdale is an absolute jackpot of a venue,” Murphy asserted. “There’s no doubt that the R&A love heading to Birkdale and the North West; it works. Birkdale is of such a size that they can move this enormous number of people.”
While Royal Lytham is returning to the Open rota, which is excellent for golf from a historical standpoint, it’s suggested that it can accommodate roughly three-quarters of Birkdale’s capacity. “So they want to go there every year,” Murphy continued. “Birkdale is an absolute jackpot of a venue, in my view, given the revenue it can generate for the R&A.” For the Open Championship—the R&A’s flagship event—the financial upside is significant.
Irwin describes a hypothetical scenario in which the R&A could design the perfect Open venue from scratch, and notes that many elements would resemble Royal Birkdale. He envisions a venue that includes 14 parking lots encircling the grounds, with grandstands permanently in place and the ability to mothball the facility from one year to the next. In his view, that would be a jackpot. Under the current rota, the closest approximation to a purpose-built Open Championship venue is arguably Birkdale, given its scale, location, and dune landscape—factors that shape the spectator experience.
As crowds increase, so too does the need for infrastructure. The Open Championship has effectively become a temporary, micro-city, requiring expansive grandstands, spectator facilities, and hospitality provisions to meet demand and deliver a world-class experience. Royal Birkdale’s combination of size, geography, and lodging has positioned it as a benchmark for how a modern major venue can operate efficiently while maintaining the integrity and enjoyment of the tournament.