The Open 2026: TV coverage, Royal Birkdale schedule, start times, Featured Groups and how to watch or stream major on Sky Sports
What time does TV coverage start for The Open at Royal Birkdale? How else can I follow the action? Ways to watch the final men's major of the year live on Sky Sports Golf and the Sky Sports app and how non-Sky customers can stream with no contract
Saturday 18 July 2026 22:10, UK
The men's major season reaches its climax on Sunday at The Open, with round-the-clock coverage from Royal Birkdale exclusively live on Sky Sports.
Scottie Scheffler is still in contention as defending champion after last year's victory at Royal Portrush, with the world No 1 bidding to become the first back-to-back winner of The Open since Padraig Harrington.
Scheffler was the pre-tournament favourite to claim a fifth major in as many seasons, while Rory McIlroy still has an outside chance of lifting the Claret Jug for a second time and adding to his victory at The Masters in April.
- The Open: Latest headlines, news and highlights
- Rory McIlroy gives verdict on Royal Birkdale
- When are the majors? Key dates and 2026 results
- Get Sky Sports or stream golf with no contract
Southport native Tommy Fleetwood is bidding to become the first Englishman to win The Open since Sir Nick Faldo in 1992 as American Sam Burns leads the way going into the final round.
Sky Sports is once again the exclusive home of The Open in the UK and Ireland. Here's a closer look at all you need to know to avoid missing a moment of the action…
When does coverage of The Open start? Key TV coverage
Wall-to-wall live coverage from the final men's major of the year got under way at 6.30am on Thursday on Sky Sports Golf.
Extended coverage starts at 8am on Sunday. 'Sunday at The Open' offer updates from the course alongside shot centre challenges, special guests, fun features and much more.
What extra coverage of The Open is available?
There will be four separate Featured Groups to follow, two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
8.50am: Min Woo Lee and Tyrrell Hatton
9.15am: Eugenio Chacarra and Rickie Fowler
12.05pm: Cam Young and Robert MacIntyre
12.55pm: Jon Rahm and Shane Lowry
There will also be one-hour highlights, plus live coverage of the Corales Puntacana Championship.
The 154th Open: key TV times (all BST and on Sky Sports Golf)
Sunday July 19
0800-1000 - Saturday at The Open LIVE!
1000-2000 - The Open: Day three LIVE!
*Early coverage of day three from 0800-1000 on Sky Sports+. Featured Groups from approx 0830 on Sky Sports+.
How to watch The Open in the UK and Ireland
Got Sky?
TV: Sky Customers can watch on Sky Sports Golf, with coverage available at various points throughout the week on Sky Sports Main Event.
App: Sky Customers can also watch on the Sky Sports app
Not got Sky?
Stream: Non-Sky Customers can stream the action with no contract with a NOW Day or a cancel-anytime Month pass
Live blog: Anyone on the move can follow live coverage of The Open in a dedicated live blog throughout the week.
FREE Highlights: Watch near-live clips and post-round highlights on the Sky Sports app
How to watch The Open on mobile with the Sky Sports app
Sky Sports Subscribers can:
- Download or open the Sky Sports app
- Head to the 'Watch' section
- Tap on the Sky Sports Golf channel
- Sign in with your Sky iD (*you'll only need to do this once)
*Sky iD help: How to find or create your Sky iD
Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland
