Southport Set for Historic 2026 with Major Events and The Open Golf Championship

Southport’s Landmark Year Ahead

Southport is unveiling an exciting array of new events for 2026, with four major new events coming during what will be an unmissable year. The historic seaside town in Merseyside is positioning itself as a premier cultural and sporting destination, with all events being free and aiming to attract visitors into the town in the traditionally quieter months of the year, giving a huge boost to local restaurants, shops, cafes, bars, guest houses and hotels.

The Open Championship Returns to Royal Birkdale

The centrepiece of Southport’s 2026 calendar is The 154th Open will be played at Royal Birkdale from 12-19 July 2026, with the iconic Southport links hosting The Open for the 11th time. Over 200,000 golf fans are expected to descend on Southport next July, with the previous Championship held at Royal Birkdale in 2017 generating £20.9 million in business for the region’s economy. Championship play starts on Thursday 16 July and runs across four days, concluding when the Champion Golfer of the Year is named on Sunday 19 July.

New Cultural Events Transform the Town

The hugely ambitious programme of new cultural events under the banner of ‘Southport – Elegantly Eccentric’ was unveiled at a special launch event at The Grand in Southport. The four major new attractions include Lightport, a breathtaking immersive light and sound installation; Cristal Palace, featuring a spectacular flying chandelier and aerial performances on Lord Street; the Big Top Festival with world-class circus performers; and Books Alive! running from 24th-31st October 2026, a reimagined literature festival designed for families and young readers that will fill the town with storytelling installations, live performances and author-led workshops, turning Southport into a living storybook.

Economic and Cultural Significance

Culture can drive the regeneration of Southport, with the exciting programme of events taking place set to inspire ‘kids of today to look back in wonder in 50 years’ time and tell their grandchildren that they were there’, according to local MP Patrick Hurley. With fans from all over the globe expected to attend, the Championship will deliver a huge boost for the Southport and wider North-West economy. The combination of international sporting excellence at The Open and innovative cultural programming positions Southport for unprecedented visibility and economic growth. For residents and visitors alike, 2026 promises to be a year when this elegant coastal town reclaims its place as one of Britain’s most compelling destinations.