Scotland’s reputation as the home of golf just got a major boost. The R&A, alongside the Scottish Government and VisitScotland, has announced a groundbreaking 11-year partnership that will bring top-tier golfing championships to Scottish soil through 2034.
This partnership, worth £11 million, will go toward staging The Open, AIG Women’s Open, and the Senior Open for the next decade — a move poised to attract visitors from around the globe and deliver far-reaching economic and social benefits.
In total, 14 championships will be staged across Scotland, each promising an experience that celebrates not only the sport but also the natural beauty and vibrancy of Scotland’s landscapes and communities.
This agreement arrives on the heels of a study commissioned by The R&A, which reveals the massive impact of the 152nd Open held at Royal Troon in July. Drawing a record-breaking crowd of 258,174, the championship generated an impressive £303.3 million in economic benefits for Scotland.
The direct economic impact — new money entering the local economy — amounted to £87.3 million according to the study conducted by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC), while independent research led by YouGov Sport showed broadcast coverage brought an additional £216 million in destination marketing value.
“The partnership with the Scottish Government and VisitScotland ensures continuing support for staging our championships at renowned venues around the country, reinforcing Scotland’s international reputation as the home of golf and for providing a world-class stage for hosting major sporting events,” said Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A.
He added, “Independent studies have proven that major championship golf delivers significant economic benefits to Scotland by driving tourism, showcasing the country to a global audience and generating income for local communities and businesses.”
This impact reaches well beyond economic metrics. The R&A’s Greenlinks initiative, introduced in 2017, aligns the championships with sustainability goals.
Emphasis on low carbon emissions, a circular economy, protecting nature through reducing disturbance and enhancing the national environment, and social benefits like increased golf participation and volunteer programmes demonstrate a commitment to responsible event hosting. This focus complements Scotland’s national events strategy, Scotland the Perfect Stage 2024-2035, which prioritises inclusive and impactful experiences.
Minister for Business, Richard Lochhead, emphasised golf’s integral role in Scotland’s identity, calling the agreement “vital” for maximising the country’s global reputation. “Golf is intertwined with Scotland’s identity, economy, and global reputation. This agreement ensures some of the world’s most prestigious golfing events are hosted in Scotland until at least 2034,” he said.
The legacy of these championships is already apparent, with today’s figures bringing the total economic benefit generated by the ten stagings of The Open in Scotland since 2005 to £1.36 billion.
Over the past decade, Scotland has welcomed over two million fans to The Open alone, including 250,000 international visitors. The R&A’s commitment to accessibility through initiatives like Kids Go Free has also made the sport more inclusive, with 230,000 youth tickets issued at no cost since 2005.
The numbers from Royal Troon alone underscore the partnership’s significance: Ayrshire saw £43.8 million in economic benefit, thanks to a steady flow of visitors. Over half of the Open spectators travelled from outside Scotland, with nearly ten per cent of visitors travelling from the US. Many of these, both overseas and those outside of Scotland expressed an intent to return.
Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events at VisitScotland, emphasised the importance of these events in driving tourism and creating jobs, saying, “As part of the country’s diverse portfolio of sporting and cultural events, they showcase Scotland’s natural beauty and world-class golfing heritage to a worldwide audience.”
Professor Simon Shibli, from Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre, remarked on the increasing spectator numbers and their positive economic ripple effects, noting, “It is hugely rewarding to see research insight being used effectively to maximise the economic benefit of The Open for its host communities.”
With each new championship, Scotland’s influence in the world of golf grows, creating a legacy that celebrates both the sport’s rich history and promising future, all the while providing an economic benefit to the country.
