Camping at The Open Championship — What to Expect and How to Do It Properly
There are people who attend The Open and stay in a hotel. They sleep well, eat a decent breakfast, and arrive at the course at a reasonable hour.
Then there are the people who camp.
We camped at The Open at Royal Portrush in 2025. Alarm at 6am. On course before 8. Back to the tent after dark. It's not glamorous. It's the right way to do it.
Here's everything we learned.
Why Camp?
The honest answer is cost. Hotels near a major championship venue are expensive, booked months in advance, and often far enough away that you're driving anyway. Camping cuts that problem entirely.
But there's more to it than money. When you camp near the venue, the trip feels like a proper pilgrimage — not a day out from a hotel. You're fully in it. The conversations at the campsite are all about golf. You're up early enough to get the best of the morning. And at the end of the day, when your feet are done, you're ten minutes from your bed.
Official Campsite
The campsite is part of the official Open ticketing — you buy it alongside your ground passes. Tents come pre-pitched with a mat included, so there's no setup on arrival. The minimum stay is two nights; we went Thursday to Saturday morning, which worked well. Pricing starts from around £60 per adult per night — and under-25s stayed free, which makes this an exceptional option for younger groups travelling together.
If you're driving, bring sleeping bags and whatever else you need for comfort. The tents are fine; the mat is there, but that's about it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Bring a four-wheeled trolley. You'll have more to carry than you expect — across the site and back.
- Bring camping chairs. Chairs and tables in the communal tents and bar area run short, especially when it rains.
- Showers: hot water was plentiful in the morning. Bring a washbasin you can hang off things — it makes the routine easier.
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Food comes from on-site food trucks with a decent selection. Tacos were a highlight!
- Bus transfers to and from the course are included in the package.
If you're going with a small family, the glamping option is worth considering — more comfort, still on-site.
What to Pack
The goal is to be comfortable enough to function, not to bring your living room.
- Sleeping bag rated for actual temperatures, not optimistic ones
- Roll mat or inflatable mat
- Waterproof jacket (take two if you can)
- Warm layers for morning and evening
- Camp chairs
- Portable charger
- Cash
For the course:
- Comfortable walking shoes or trainers
- Small clear bag (check the venue's bag policy)
- Sunscreen — overcast doesn't mean you won't burn
- Snacks — food inside is expensive
- A small folding umbrella
The Morning Routine
Get up when the alarm goes off. The gate times at The Open are early — often 6:30 or 7am — and the first hour on the course before the crowds build is worth the early start.
Eat something before you go. Leave everything you don't need at the campsite. You're walking all day. Every unnecessary item in your bag will make itself known by the 14th hole.
Back at Camp
You will be tired. That's the correct outcome. The shuttle bus is pretty handy, but make sure you can find it! And keep track of any landmarks, it's easy to end up getting on/off at the wrong stop.
Food from the food trucks is good, but if it's raining at the main tents you might be better staying in your rain gear. But if there is space, you can always bring in your camping chairs as well, good to keep the weight off.
What We'd Tell Someone Doing It for the First Time
Pack for cold mornings even if the forecast looks good. Links weather is not forecast weather.
Don't try to see everything. Pick a part of the course you want to spend time on and stay there. The best memories from days at The Open are usually from one hole, one group, one moment you happened to be standing in the right place for.
It's a long day. It's worth it.
Low Chaser Golf makes grips and headcovers for players who love the game. We'll be at Royal Birkdale in July 2026 — camping, naturally.