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The Open golf major generated more than UK£300 million (US$374 million) in economic benefit for Scotland, according to a study commissioned by The R&A, VisitScotland and Fife Council.
Confirmed:
- The 150th Open provided a total economic impact of UK£106 million (US$132 million) to Scotland, according to Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC)
- YouGov Sport research shows that UK£201 million (US$250 million) of destination marketing benefit was delivered for Scotland as a result of The Open being broadcast worldwide through linear TV and digital platforms
- Fife alone received a UK£61 million (US$75.9 million) injection of new money due to visitors travelling to the region
- A record 290,000 fans were at St Andrews, 51,000 more than the previous record set at the same venue in 2000
- Over half of the spectators who attended The Open (62.3 per cent) travelled from outside Scotland, with 31 per cent coming from elsewhere in the UK and 19.2 per cent travelling from the US
- Around 48 per cent of spectators said it was their first visit to The Open and 76 per cent of visitors from overseas were making their inaugural trip to the Championship.
- 52 per cent of spectators said they intended to attend at least one of the next three editions of The Open
Context:
The total economic benefit delivered last year is the highest in the history of The Open. The 2021 tournament generated UK£113.4 million (US$141.2 million) in economic benefit for the local Kent area.
Coming next:
The 151st Open will be played at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in July, the 13th time the major has been played at the venue.
