GOLF.com: 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale — Full TV and Streaming Guide

The 2026 Open Championship — the season's final men's major — gets underway July 16-19 at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. This is the 154th edition of the event, and the field features a compelling mix of past champions and hungry contenders all eyeing the Claret Jug.

The Storylines to Watch

Three names dominate the conversation heading into the week. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler arrives looking to make it back-to-back Opens. Masters winner Rory McIlroy carries grand slam ambitions into Southport. And local favorite Tommy Fleetwood — who hails from nearby Southport — has perhaps never had a better opportunity to capture his first major title.

Royal Birkdale last hosted The Open in 2017, when Jordan Spieth claimed his third major and first Claret Jug. Spieth has arrived early this week to prepare for a run at an unprecedented second Birkdale title.

TV and Streaming Schedule (ET)

US coverage is split between NBC and USA on television, with Peacock and Golf Channel Mobile handling streaming duties. Peacock provides exclusive early-morning coverage on Thursday and Friday, plus featured group access throughout the week.

| Round | USA/NBC | Peacock / Golf Channel Mobile | |---|---|---| | R1 – Thu, Jul 16 | 4 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (USA) | 1:30–4 a.m. exclusive; all-day featured groups | | R2 – Fri, Jul 17 | 4 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (USA) | 1:30–4 a.m. exclusive; all-day featured groups | | R3 – Sat, Jul 18 | 5–7 a.m. (USA); 7 a.m.–3 p.m. (NBC) | All-day featured groups (Peacock) | | R4 – Sun, Jul 19 | 4–7 a.m. (USA); 7 a.m.–2 p.m. (NBC) | All-day featured groups (Peacock) |

Strokeslab Perspective

Royal Birkdale's exposed links layout typically rewards ball-strikers who can manage trajectory and control dispersion under wind pressure. Historical SG data from links majors suggests SG: Approach (APP) and SG: Off the Tee (OTT) are the primary differentiators — making Scheffler's well-documented iron precision a significant advantage heading into the week.