- Cement status as a premier destination for major golf championships
- City Region to host at least three stagings of The Open by 2050
- The 154th Open to generate estimated £200m in economic benefit
- Ambition to create lasting legacy that drives growth, tourism and international recognition
Liverpool City Region leaders have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with golf’s governing body, The R&A to host The Open at least three times in the next 25 years.
As the sport’s biggest names are set to battle it out for Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale this week, the Combined Authority alongside Sefton and Wirral Councils entered into an agreement with The R&A to cement the City Region’s status as a premier destination for major golf championships.
Royal Birkdale. Photo: The R&A
The deal would see the region stage The Open at least three times by 2050 alongside other R&A championships.
Hosting The Open drives up visitor numbers during the Championship and beyond, with an economic forecast estimating a £200 million boost for local businesses and communities from The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale*.
The Memorandum of Understanding replaces a current hosting partnership with Wirral and Sefton which is set to end after The 154th Open this year and prolongs a long-standing relationship between the region and the Championship’s organisers.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“The Open is one of the biggest prizes in world sport, so securing it for the Liverpool City Region at least three more times is fantastic news. It’s a huge vote of confidence in everything our region has to offer – from our world-class courses and spectacular coastline to the warm welcome visitors receive wherever they go.
“With some of the best golf courses in the country on our doorstep, we are undoubtedly the UK’s golf coast and this agreement cements that reputation for decades to come. Every time The Open comes here, it puts our region on the global stage, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and delivers a major boost for local businesses, jobs and our visitor economy.
“This is about building a long-term partnership that will inspire the next generation, showcase our communities to millions of people around the world and create opportunities that last long after the final putt. We can’t wait to welcome golf’s biggest stars – and fans from across the globe – back to the Liverpool City Region again and again.”
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Chief Championships Officer at The R&A, said:
“The Open is one of the world’s great sporting events and has a unique ability to showcase a destination to a global audience while delivering significant long-term economic and community benefits. We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with the Liverpool City Region, whose outstanding links courses, passion for golf and commitment to hosting world-class events make it an exceptional home for our championships well into the future.”
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said:
“This is fantastic news for Sefton and for the wider Liverpool City Region. The Open is one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events, and this landmark agreement secures our position at the heart of championship golf for decades to come.
“Hosting The Open at Royal Birkdale and our other world-class links courses brings significant benefits to our communities, attracting visitors from across the globe, supporting local businesses, creating jobs and showcasing everything that makes our area such a great place to visit, live and invest.
“Just as importantly, this partnership gives us the opportunity to build a lasting legacy, inspiring more people to get involved in golf and ensuring future generations can benefit from the economic and social opportunities these major events create.
“We are proud to be working alongside the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Wirral Council and The R&A to secure a golden future for golf in our region and to welcome the world’s best players and spectators back to Sefton for many years to come.”
Councillor Paula Basnett, Leader of Wirral Council, said:
“The Royal Liverpool Golf Club is one of the most iconic venues in history of golf and has a strong record of hosting memorable Opens which attract visitors and audiences from across the globe. Wirral Council is proud to play a central role in this landmark agreement which secures the future of world-class golf in our city region for decades to come and which recognises our ability to deliver major international events.
“The benefits of hosting tournaments such as The Open extend far beyond the fairways. Incredibly prestigious and hugely popular events, they bring significant investment into our local economy, support jobs and businesses, showcase Wirral to a worldwide audience and inspire more people to get involved in sport.
“By working together with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the R&A and our partners across the region, we can create a lasting legacy that boosts tourism, drives economic growth and strengthens our international reputation as a destination for major events.”
This milestone agreement lays the groundwork for a detailed, formal partnership to be finalised later this year, ensuring all parties are aligned to maximise the opportunity.
