153rd Open At Royal Portrush Set To Break Records As Largest Sporting Event In Ireland

Representatives have stated that the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club is set to become the largest sporting event ever held on the island of Ireland.

Speaking during a deputation to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, R&A Director of Public Affairs Robert Oxley highlighted that the tournament, scheduled from July 13 to July 20, is anticipated to draw approximately 40,000 more spectators than the 148th Open in 2019, which was also hosted at Royal Portrush. Executive Director Johnnie Cole-Hamilton revealed plans to install over 10,000 grandstand seats, along with viewing platforms to accommodate 4,000 standing fans.

He added:

“Those grandstands will continue to be built all the way up to the Saturday prior to the Championship starting.

“As we build each grandstand various suppliers will add netting, add the branding, and put the Wi-Fi spots up.”

Mr Oxley noted that during a recent media day in Portrush, the R&A confirmed a projected record-breaking attendance for the championship, excluding those held at St Andrews Golf Club in Scotland.

“We’ll be expecting 278,000 fans,” he added. “That’s significantly higher than any other non-St Andrews event and a testament to where Portrush now sits in the pool of venues that host the Open.”

“The demand outstrips supply with over one million applications for tickets, surpassing the high mark Portrush set six years ago.

“This is close to 40,000 extra fans and that is driven by practice days, which were also a sell-out this year. We believe the 153rd Open will be the largest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland and the largest sporting event held in the island of Ireland.

“A total economic benefit of £213 million is expected, and we’re also proud to be one of the most accessible major sporting events for young people [with] 27,000 free tickets for those under the age of 16.”