R&A makes huge announcement regarding The Open Championship

The R&A has today confirmed the 153rd Open Championship delivered more than £280 million in economic benefit to Northern Ireland, marking a landmark moment for both the region and the Championship’s modern history.

Independent research commissioned by The R&A and Tourism Northern Ireland revealed that staging the event in July 2025 generated £89.2 million in direct economic impact, with £43.7 million of that concentrated within the Causeway Coast and Glens. 

The study was conducted by the Sports Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University.

Alongside the local economic uplift, YouGov analysis found that global exposure of Royal Portrush—across broadcast, digital and online media—created a further £191 million in destination marketing value, underlining the worldwide pull of golf’s oldest major.

Record crowds, record impact

Returning to Royal Portrush for the first time since 2019, The Open, which was won by runaway World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, broke its previous attendance record, drawing 278,000 spectators.

It became the largest Open ever held outside St Andrews (largely a result of Rory McIlroy's home appearance) and the biggest sporting event in Northern Ireland’s history, comfortably surpassing the 237,750 total from 2019.

Scheffler, who moved to within one leg of the career grand slam with victory at The Open, received a record first-prize cheque of $3.1m for etching his name on the famed Claret Jug for the first time. 

R&A Chief Executive Mark Darbon hailed the figures as proof of The Open’s power to transform host regions.

"This remarkable economic benefit figure of more than £280 million demonstrates the huge value The Open brings to the regions in which it is staged," said Darbon, who took over from Martin Slumbers as R&A boss in November 2024. 

"As one of the world’s great sporting events it drives tourism, generates substantial additional income for local businesses and communities and attracts an international audience to watch the world’s best golfers compete at world-class venues.  

"We enjoyed a truly spectacular Championship at Royal Portrush and relished the incredible passion and enthusiasm of the fans who created such a fantastic atmosphere. It was hugely appreciated by the players who were competing for the iconic Claret Jug, including home favourite Rory McIlroy and this year’s Champion Golfer, Scottie Scheffler.

"We would like to thank the government and the local agencies in Northern Ireland together with the staff and members of Royal Portrush for their support in making The 153rd Open a huge success."

Darbon also thanked the Northern Ireland government, local agencies and Royal Portrush members for helping deliver what he described as a "huge success".

Impact nearly doubles since 2019

The economic return has almost doubled for Northern Ireland since The Open’s last visit in 2019 (£45m) and risen 67% for the Causeway Coast and Glens (£26.2m).

Key factors driving the surge include:

• A major jump in attendance
• Increased daily spectator spending (+134% nationally, +100% regionally)
• More visitors opting for commercial accommodation

The Open also attracted a heavily international crowd, with 59.5% of fans travelling from outside Northern Ireland. 

England (17.3%), the Republic of Ireland (16.7%) and the United States (12.3%) were among the most represented. 

Notably, 62% of spectators were attending The Open for the first time.

Government and Tourism leaders react

Northern Ireland’s Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, praised the Championship’s transformative effect: "I very much welcome the news that The 153rd Open generated £280m in economic benefit for the north. This is unprecedented and demonstrates the importance of hosting such events for our economy. 

"The hosting of The 153rd Open here was a resounding success. We once again demonstrated our ability to host major events, strengthening our reputation across the world, including generating new tourism opportunities as our wonderful landscape was broadcast globally. It boosted local businesses and provided a platform for building relationships with investors, including an event in Derry that I hosted to showcase the north west as a location for international expansion.

"I am proud of our role in delivering The 153rd Open. I would like to thank The R&A for again entrusting us with the Championship, as well as Tourism NI and all the partners and volunteers who helped deliver such an amazing event.  We look forward to The R&A returning for the next chapter soon."

Tourism NI Chair Ellvena Graham echoed the sentiment, highlighting golf’s growing role in the region’s economic landscape: "We have always known that golf tourism is a key driver for the local economy and today’s figures are testament to that."

Graham added that 67% of visitors extended their stay beyond the Championship, delivering a wider regional benefit. 

Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland’s marketing activity also produced an additional £12.1 million in PR value.

A defining moment for Northern Irish golf

The latest Open numbers reaffirm Royal Portrush’s position as one of the world’s elite major championship venues and underline Northern Ireland’s expanding reputation as a global golf destination—as well as the popularity of a certain Rory McIlroy. 

With economic impact soaring and international engagement at record levels, anticipation is already growing for when The Open will next return to the iconic Dunluce Links.