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Fans begin descending on Portrush for The Open

Mark Simpson
BBC News NI communities correspondent
PA Media A large blue sign with the Open branding. The words are in white font and the claret jug is in the centre of the O. A signpost for the first tee is to the left of the picture. It has a large red digit one on a yellow background. PA Media
The sun was shining for the first training day in Portrush

Gates open to the public for the first time on Sunday for The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

It is the first of four official practice days before the sold-out tournament begins on Thursday.

More than 275,000 spectators are expected during the eight days of practice and competition, making it the largest sporting event held in Northern Ireland.

Holywood's Rory McIlroy is one the favourites for The Open while Irish golfer Shane Lowry is hoping to win in Portrush, just like he did in 2019 when the championship was last played at the seaside town.

A large wall mural has been painted near the entrance to the golf course marking his triumph.

A wall mural showing Shane Lowry wearing a dark Bank of Ireland polo shirt and smiling while holding a silver trophy
Irish golfer Shane Lowry won the coveted Claret Jug during the Open in Portrush in 2019

The Covid-19 pandemic, which led to lockdowns across the globe in 2020, meant Royal Portrush Golf Club and the surrounding town lost some of the momentum for tourism created by the 2019 tournament.

Being handed another chance to stage the event so quickly has given Portrush another chance to shine.

The weather forecast for the next seven days is mixed, so spectators have been advised to be prepared for sunshine and showers.

Getty Images Rory McIlroy wears a white cap and grey polo shirt. He wears a white glove in his left hand. He looks like he has just finished a swing and is holding a driver in his hands. He is looking up into the air like he is following the ball. There is blurred greenery behind him. Getty Images
Rory McIlroy will likely be the focus of attention at The Open golf championship in Portrush having won the Masters in April

There is no public car parking beside the course.

Park and ride facilities nearby begin on Sunday and will continue on each of the practice and competition days.

Spectators are being urged to use public transport to travel to the course, if they can.

Fears of disruption to services on Friday and Saturday due to industrial action have eased.

But the dispute has still not been fully resolved and Translink has advised passengers to check for updates on their website.

A yellow golf flag on the Royal Portrush course with 'The Open 153rd Royal Portrush' written in navy letters
The Open championship was last held on the north coast golf course in 2019

The Open was first played at Portrush in 1951.

Much has changed since then as a result of modern media.

Organisers say The Open championship generates more than 5,000 hours of global television coverage, with the competition beamed into 500 million homes.

It is estimated that the championship will boost the Northern Ireland economy by more than £200m.

The forecast was calculated by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University.

In order to ensure traders in Portrush have the chance to share the benefits, spectators will be allowed to leave the golf course at any stage during the day then return later.

Golf fans are allowed to bring their own food to the course but not alcohol.

A spectator village has been built beside the course with bars, shops and food outlets.

The defending champion at The Open is American golfer Xander Schauffle who won at Royal Troon in Scotland in 2024..

The 2026 championship will be played at Royal Birkdale in north-west England.