The Open's return is a major success

Lancashire is set for a major boost to its visitor economy in 2028 when it hosts one of golf’s most iconic tournaments.

The sport’s governing body has announced the 156th Open Championship will return to Royal Lytham and St Annes after a 16-year absence – and the benefit to the county will be ‘immense’.

The historic Lancashire links course has hosted The Open 11 times, with the 2012 tournament, when Ernie Els lifted his second Claret Jug, the most recent.

The return to the Fylde coast will mark the third time in six years that the North West has hosted golf’s oldest major tournament.

The Open was held at Royal Liverpool in 2023 and it will take place at Royal Birkdale in Southport from July 16-19 this year.

The benefits of hosting are massive. Last year’s competition at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland is reported to have generated more than £280m for the local economy.

And the 2023 Royal Liverpool Open was worth more than £187m to the Liverpool City region, according to a study commissioned by The R&A, the body that organises the annual tournament.

The independent research led by YouGov Sport also revealed that £144m of ‘destination marketing benefit’ was delivered for Liverpool as a result of the competition being broadcast worldwide during the championship week.

Commenting on those figures Martin Slumbers, chief executive of The R&A, said: “The Open continues to flourish and has an outstanding track record of injecting significant additional expenditure into communities and local businesses as well as showcasing the region in which it is held to a global audience.”

Looking ahead to 2028, lan 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 will be immense. Work is already underway to host the best championship ever at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2028, and on many other occasions to come.”

Mark Darbon, chief executive of The R&A, said: “This is one of golf’s most cherished and historic venues and The Open’s return to these famous links will spark huge interest among fans to be part of one of the world’s great sporting events and celebrate the rich traditions of golf’s original championship.

“We look forward to enjoying another fantastic championship on England’s golf coast in 2028.”

The course has welcomed The Open on 11 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.

Lancashire and Lytham overcame competition from a number of other top golf courses to win the right to hold The Open in 2028, including Turnberry in Scotland, which is owned by US president Donald Trump.

He bought the course in 2014 and has spent £200m on improvements.

Officials from The R&A are reported to have met with Trump’s son Eric last year to discuss the tournament returning to Turnberry. At the time R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said there were “big logistical issues” at the venue.

Royal Lytham and St Annes will also welcome the world’s best women’s golfers for the AIG Women’s Open this summer.

And Lancashire could also benefit from another of the great golf tournaments, if a drive to bring it to neighbouring Greater Manchester is successful.

The bid to host the 2035 Ryder Cup in Bolton is gaining momentum. Last month city region mayor Andy Burnham announced a £70m funding package to support developer Peel’s plans to create a championship golf course to host the iconic tournament.

The funding will focus on infrastructure, with a significant package of transport improvements including supporting the delivery of the first phase of a new M61-M6 link road.

Announcing the mayoral backing for the £240m Hulton Park scheme, Andy Burnham said: “The success of the BRIT Awards in Manchester shows that we can we attract and deliver international events to a brilliant standard.

“Culture and sport will be major drivers of our good growth, and that’s why we’re bidding to host the biggest ever Ryder Cup in Bolton in 2035.”

Supporters of the plan say hosting the event would deliver a major economic boost – showcasing the region on the world stage, and adding more than £1.2bn to the North West’s economy in Gross Value Added (GVA).

Golfer Tommy Fleetwood – part of the Europe team that beat the USA to lift the Ryder Cup in 2025 – is also backing the bid.

He said: “As a golfer, a Ryder Cup being in England, first and foremost, would be something special. On top of that, to do it in the North West of England, where I’m from, would be amazing.

“We have so much to offer, the people have a lot to offer, the infrastructure has a lot to offer, and I think it would be something that would be incredible.”