Renewed deal includes highlights, digital clips and full live radio coverage from Royal Portrush in 2025
BBC Sport has extended its long-standing partnership with The R&A, securing broadcast rights for The Open Championship from 2025 to 2027 under a new multi-year agreement.
The renewed deal will see the BBC continue to deliver free-to-air highlights, digital clips and comprehensive radio coverage of golf’s oldest major across TV, online and radio platforms. Audiences will be able to access the tournament via BBC One, iPlayer, Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and social media.
The partnership will kick off with the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland from July 17–20. BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds will carry 38 hours of live coverage, beginning with the first tee shot on Thursday morning and culminating with the final putt on Sunday evening.
The 5 Live golf team, led by correspondent Iain Carter and presented by Mark Chapman and Colin Murray, will provide live commentary, analysis and on-site insights throughout the week.
TV highlights will also return, with presenters Sarah Mulkerrins and Rishi Persad heading the onsite team. The commentary line-up features experienced voices Andrew Cotter and Ken Brown, with Brown also reprising his popular ‘Ken on the Course’ segments.
“This is a fantastic deal that ensures audiences can continue to enjoy the very best of The Open across BBC Sport,” said Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport. “It’s an iconic moment in the sporting calendar, and BBC Sport will bring the drama and stories to life on TV, iPlayer, Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and online.”
Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A, added: “Extending our long-standing partnership with BBC Sport is incredibly important in ensuring that the drama and excitement of these historic championships will continue to be enjoyed by millions of viewers throughout the UK.”
“The Open sits at the heart of the great British sporting summer and the BBC’s extensive coverage will mean that the compelling stories from the Championship are shared with existing fans as well as inspiring new ones.”
The Open Championship, which rotates across a selection of historic links courses in the UK, remains one of the most prestigious events in global golf and a key fixture in the British sporting calendar. The BBC previously held full broadcast rights until 2016, before Sky Sports took over live TV coverage.
This deal reinforces the BBC’s commitment to covering major sporting events amid increasing competition for rights. The Open joins a rights portfolio that includes the Olympic Games, Wimbledon, FA Cup, Six Nations, Rugby Super League, and upcoming events such as UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, UEFA Euro 2028 and FIFA Men’s World Cups.
