The Open golf tournament provided £280m boost to NI economy

Scottie Scheffler of the U.S. took the Claret Jug trophy after winning The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush in July

Staging The Open golf championship at Royal Portrush in County Antrim generated more than £280m of economic benefit to Northern Ireland, studies have shown.

Research by Sheffield Hallam University found that The Open provided £89m to Northern Ireland's economy, with a £43.7m boost generated within the Causeway Coast and Glens council area.

Global exposure of the tournament through television coverage and digital produced £191m worth of destination marketing, based on YouGov research.

The independent studies into the event, which attracted 278,000 fans, were commissioned by golf governing body the R&A and Tourism NI.

The return of The Open to Portrush in July attracted record breaking numbers, making it the biggest ever sporting event staged here.

The figures represent a significant increase on the economic impact generated from the the last time The Open was held at Royal Portrush in 2019.

2025 figures are almost double those in 2019, and a growth of 67% in economic benefit for Causeway Coast and Glens.

The studies attributed this to an increase in attendance and spend by spectators, with more visitors staying in commercial accommodation.

More than half of attendees travelled to the Antrim coast from outside Northern Ireland, with almost 80% of those attending The Open for the first time.

Aine Kearney from Tourism NI said people felt a higher sense of pride in where they're from as a result of Portrush hosting The Open

Aine Kearney from Tourism NI described The Open as "a phenomenal success for Northern Ireland as a destination".

She highlighted that bars, restaurants and accommodation providers felt the benefit of £89m of direct economic benefit brought in by the tournament.

After the championship returned in 2019 "everybody was racing to be prepared" for the next one.

She said this caused a "significant increase in the number of hotel stock in the local area, that in itself is creating jobs and providing a higher quality experience for people living in the area".

In addition, she added that the research found that almost all of the people surveyed felt that "that hosting The Open in Northern Ireland increased their sense of pride in this place".

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton is chief championships officer at the R&A

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton described Royal Portrush as a "world class venue" to host The Open and attracts "incredible public enthusiasm".

He said that The Open will "certainly be back" to Portrush in the future.

"Northern Ireland has a huge history with golf," he said.

"It's got wonderful venues like Royal Portrush but there are other venues we've used, Northern Ireland is a really good place to be hosting our championships."