Will FIFA World Cup force British Open schedule change?
With the World Cup final on the same day as the British Open's final round, Open Championship organizers say they're open to modifying their schedule.
Organizers of the British Open golf tournament are open to changing the schedule of the final day to avoid a crossover with the final of the FIFA World Cup final. The final for the showcase soccer event is set to be played July 19, 2026, the same date the final round of The Open tees off at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. The golf tournament might start its last day earlier than usual to allow what is expected to be a record crowd at the golf tournament to be able to get home and watch the final on TV - and to give a gap for viewers at home to see both events.
"We're conscious of other events happening on that date," said Mark Darbon, chief executive of the R&A, which governs the event. "Of course, some things are out of our control in terms of playoffs and the like, but we will attempt to avoid a clash. "I think we're all looking forward to an England-Scotland final, so let's see how that plays out.
" Will the British Open finish before the World Cup final? No matter if the home nations reach the final or not, there will be significant interest from fans around the world in watching the final, which is scheduled to kick off at 3 p. m.
ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Open generally finishes 90 minutes prior to that time, though it would go longer were a three-hole playoff be required to determine the winner. Dallas native Scottie Scheffler is the reigning champion of the British Open, while Argentina hopes to defend the World Cup crown it won in 2022 on the final day.