Northern Ireland reaped an enormous economic windfall from hosting golf's prestigious Open Championship this summer, with independent research calculating a total benefit of £280 million for the region.
Record-Breaking Economic Impact
The assessment, jointly commissioned by tournament organisers The R&A and Tourism Northern Ireland, found that the July sporting spectacle at Royal Portrush Golf Club delivered an £89.2 million direct economic impact within Northern Ireland. This figure marks a significant increase from the 2019 Open, which generated £45 million for the region.
An economic impact study conducted by Sheffield Hallam University's sports industry research centre revealed that £43.7 million of this total was concentrated within Portrush and the surrounding Causeway Coast and Glens area.
The championship attracted nearly 280,000 spectators across the week, culminating in world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler lifting the prized Claret Jug. This attendance made the 153rd Open at Portrush the second-best attended event in the championship's long history.
Global Exposure and Marketing Value
Separate research by YouGov assessed the global exposure generated by the competition through television, digital platforms and online media as being worth £191 million in destination marketing benefit.
Mark Darbon, chief executive of The R&A, stated: "This remarkable economic benefit figure of more than £280 million demonstrates the huge value The Open brings to the regions in which it is staged. As one of the world's great sporting events it drives tourism, generates substantial additional income for local businesses and communities, and attracts an international audience."
The tournament drew visitors from across the globe, with more than half of attending golf fans (59.5%) travelling from outside Northern Ireland. This included 17.3% from England, 16.7% from the Republic of Ireland and 12.3% from the United States.
Tourism Boost and Future Prospects
Tourism Northern Ireland reported that approximately 67% of attendees extended their stays to visit other parts of the region, spreading economic benefits beyond the immediate tournament location.
Ellvena Graham, chairwoman of Tourism Northern Ireland, commented: "We have always known that golf tourism is a key driver for the local economy and today's economic impact figures are testament to that. This ground-breaking event will undoubtedly raise our standing on the world stage."
Stormont's Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the findings, describing them as "unprecedented" and emphasising the importance of hosting such events for the Northern Irish economy. Tourism bosses are now hopeful for a swift return of the championship to Royal Portrush, following the event's successful staging this summer.
