The 154th Open takes place at Royal Birkdale in Southport, Merseyside, from 12 to 19 July 2026, with the 4 Championship rounds played from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 July. If you are flying in, Liverpool John Lennon Airport is usually the most practical private aviation choice, with Blackpool and Manchester useful alternatives depending on aircraft size, slot pressure and onward plans.
Demand around a home Open builds quickly, especially for arrivals on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 July, then departures on Sunday 19 or Monday 20 July. A well-organised private aircraft charter gives you control over the timing that matters during a week like this. Full ticket, practice day and hospitality detail sits on the official Open website.
Why the dates shape your plans
Royal Birkdale will stage The Open for the 11th time. The last time it hosted, in 2017, Jordan Spieth won after one of the most memorable final rounds in recent Open history.
Practice days run from Sunday 12 to Wednesday 15 July. The Championship starts on Thursday 16 July, and a new Last-Chance Qualifier takes place at Royal Birkdale on Monday 13 July, offering one final place in the field.
The practical point is simple. Thursday and Sunday are the pinch points. Arrivals cluster on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, and almost everyone wants to leave once the Claret Jug is lifted. Golf majors carry their own travel rhythm, as anyone who has chartered a jet to the PGA Championship will recognise. If you can arrive earlier or leave on Monday, airport slots, crew planning and ground transport are usually easier to manage.
Which airports make sense for Royal Birkdale
The right airport depends on aircraft size, origin, operating hours and road access into Southport.
| Airport | Code | Approx. road time to Royal Birkdale | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool John Lennon | LPL | Around 45 minutes | Closest practical full-service option, with private aviation handling |
| Blackpool | BLK | Around 55 to 60 minutes | Smaller and quieter, suitable for many private and business aircraft, with published operating hours |
| Manchester | MAN | Around 50 to 70 minutes | Larger airport, useful for bigger aircraft, long-range arrivals and reliever planning |
Liverpool is often the first option to check because it is close and has private aviation facilities. Blackpool can work well for suitable aircraft, but it operates within published hours and is Prior Permission Required. Manchester is larger, busier and better suited to some long-range or heavier aircraft, especially when capacity tightens elsewhere.
For shorter UK hops, air taxi services in the UK can beat a long drive, particularly from Scotland, the South East or the Midlands. If you are travelling as a larger party, the same thinking behind group charters for sports teams applies. Match the aircraft to the group, luggage and timetable rather than squeezing everyone onto something too small.
Helicopter transfers
A helicopter is worth considering when road access looks slow, which it often can during major sporting weeks. Operators may be able to lift you from Liverpool, Manchester or a private site and set you down near Southport by prior arrangement, subject to permissions, weather and landing-site suitability.
If you have flown to the British Grand Prix by private jet and helicopter, the pattern will feel familiar. You fly into the region, then use the helicopter for the last leg to reduce time on the road.
Corporate hospitality and group travel
The Open sells premium packages through The Open Experiences, and many companies build client hosting around Championship week. If you are hosting, the travel needs to feel as controlled as the hospitality. That usually means a mid-size jet for the core group, realistic luggage planning, and flexible return times so nobody is stuck waiting on delayed cars.
The same care applies at other marquee fixtures, whether you are flying private to a Grand Slam, arranging VIP travel for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, or flying private to British race days like the Epsom Derby.
Arriving from overseas
American golf fans travel to The Open in real numbers. If you are organising a private jet charter from Boston or a private jet charter from Houston, plan for a long-range aircraft or a fuel stop, and clear customs at the most suitable UK arrival airport rather than adding avoidable domestic complexity.
It is also worth asking what medical and contingency support sits behind the trip. Providers who also run medevac and air ambulance services tend to think carefully about duty of care, which shows when plans change.
People also ask
When is the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale?
The event runs from 12 to 19 July 2026, with Championship rounds from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 July.
What is the nearest airport to Royal Birkdale?
Liverpool John Lennon Airport is usually the closest practical private aviation option by road. Blackpool and Manchester are useful alternatives.
Can you fly a helicopter to Royal Birkdale?
Yes, by prior arrangement, subject to permissions, weather and landing-site suitability.
How early should you book?
Book several weeks ahead where possible. Aircraft, crew, slots and ground transport tighten as Championship week approaches.
Ready to plan your week at Royal Birkdale? Tell us your dates, group size and preferred airport, and we will put together a quote that fits the schedule around you.