04 Apr 2025
More than 6,000 staff on board to deliver The 153rd Open – with 100 days to go
It’s just 100 days until The Open returns to Northern Ireland and the build at Royal Portrush is in full swing.
A team of more than 6,000 permanent and temporary staff working for The R&A, contractors and agencies, are involved in the overall delivery of the Championship, from the initial build, to overseeing its staging and the final derig.
All eyes with be on the North Coast from July 13-20 when some of the sport’s top golfers descend on Royal Portrush, one of the world’s top courses, to compete for the iconic Claret Jug.
More than 250,000 fans are expected to attend The 153rd Open, which is expected to deliver a combined economic and media benefit of more than £150 million to the region.
Contractors are on site with compounds already erected, work has also begun on the roll out of the trackway and the first structures are up.
Today, work will begin to erect the famous grandstands at the 1st and 18th holes, offering spectators some of the best views of the much-anticipated action.
In mid-April, work will start to erect the hospitality structures and those in the spectator village.
The R&A have recruited for around 1,200 roles for The Open across various functions to support the Championship’s delivery. Of these, 85% of the roles have been filled by the local community.
Such was the success of a recent recruitment event held by The R&A in Portrush, that the process has already been closed.
Around 1,200 marshals will be enlisted to work at the event as well as 500 volunteers.
More than 600 journalists from around the world will be attending The Open to cover the action with an estimated 100 million viewers able to watch play in over 190 countries.
A site management team has also been set up to manage the contractor community and deliveries from a host of local businesses who are suppliers for the Championship.
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing The Open back to Royal Portrush and there is huge excitement among golf fans to see the best men’s players face the challenge of this magnificent links once again.
“The Open in 2019 was a massive success and showed just how much collective enthusiasm, passion and commitment there is to make Royal Portrush one of the leading venues for the Championship.
“The 153rd Open will be the biggest ever event held in Northern Ireland and we are looking forward to welcoming over 250,000 fans in July for what promises to be another special celebration of major championship golf.”
Aine Kearney, Director of Events at Tourism Northern Ireland, said: “With just 100 days to go until The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, all the partners involved in the delivery of the event are working in collaboration to make it even bigger and more memorable than 2019.
“Work at the site is well underway and from a planning perspective, it is full steam ahead.
“The Open in 2019 brought huge economic benefits, not just to the North Coast, but to the whole of Northern Ireland and 2025 will be no different.
“It is shaping up to be another world-class sporting event which presents us with an invaluable opportunity to further raise Northern Ireland’s profile as a must-see travel and golf destination as well as a fantastic place to invest.”
Dr Ian Kerr, Chairman of the Championship Committee at Royal Portrush, said: “Both the championship committee and the members of Royal Portrush are putting in huge efforts to ensure this Championship will be another unforgettable experience, not just for the players but for all visitors and spectators. That is our number one priority.
“The 148th Open was truly memorable and hopefully the 153rd will be even more momentous."