For six days next June, the best young golfers on the planet walk the Dunluce links at Royal Portrush — and you can walk right alongside them, often for free, with the whole family, on the same course that hosted The Open.
What it is — The 132nd Amateur Championship, the world's leading amateur golf championship, run by The R&A. A field of 288 players plays stroke-play qualifying, then it becomes a straight matchplay knockout — win your match, stay in; lose, and you're out.
Where future champions come from — this is where the game's next stars appear. Past winners have gone on to lift major titles, and Rory McIlroy played here as an amateur. You could be watching a future Open champion long before the rest of the world knows the name.
Where — Royal Portrush Golf Club on the Causeway Coast, played over the Dunluce and Valley links. The Dunluce is the championship course that staged The Open in 2019 and 2025 — a genuine world-famous stretch of coastline.
Cost — R&A amateur championships are usually free to attend, which makes this a rare chance to watch world-class golf without a big ticket price. Entry details for 2027 are confirmed closer to the time — check the official R&A page before you set off.
You'll be walking the links. A day here means real walking over dunes and coastal ground, often in changeable weather. Wear comfy shoes, and pack both sun cream and a rain jacket — the Causeway Coast can give you all four seasons in one afternoon.
When to plan — the championship runs Monday 14 to Saturday 19 June 2027, with pre-qualifying on the Valley beforehand. Full spectator details, timings and any transport arrangements land on the R&A site nearer the dates.
What's on
How the week unfolds
Six days, two stages — here's the shape of the championship and what a family can watch across the week.
⛳Stroke-play qualifyingThe opening rounds split the 288-player field over the Dunluce and Valley links — the top players go through to the knockout.
🏌️Matchplay knockoutFrom there it's head-to-head: win and stay in, lose and go home. The tension builds each round on the Dunluce course.
🌊The Causeway Coast settingThe links run right along the sea. Between shots there are big dune views, crashing surf and one of the finest coastlines in these islands.
🏆The final on SaturdayThe championship climaxes with the matchplay final on 19 June — a chance to see a future star lift the trophy.
👀Walking the fairwaysUnlike a big stadium event, you can follow your favourite players right around the course, close to the action.
📱Timings on the dayTee times and pairings are published each morning by The R&A — check before you go to plan who you'll follow.
Plan your visit
How to do it with kids
A day watching links golf is a gentle, roam-around kind of day — perfect for families who like to be outside. Pick a group of players and follow them for a few holes rather than trying to see everything; children love picking a "favourite" and cheering them on. Wear comfy shoes for the walking, and because you're on an exposed coast, pack sun cream and a rain jacket both — the weather off the Atlantic changes fast. Bring water and a few snacks, keep an eye on tee times so you catch the players you want, and take breaks to look out over the sea. It's a big open space, so it's easy to find a quiet spot when little legs need a rest.
Check entry and timings on the official site before you go.
R&A amateur championships are usually free to attend, but confirm the 2027 spectator arrangements, any parking or park-and-ride notes and daily tee times on the R&A page closer to the dates.
Good to know
Everything before you go
When
Monday 14 to Saturday 19 June 2027, with pre-qualifying on the Valley course beforehand. Six days of championship golf.
Where
Royal Portrush Golf Club, Dunluce Road, Portrush, County Antrim, BT56 8JQ — on the Causeway Coast. Played over the Dunluce and Valley links.
What it is
The 132nd Amateur Championship, the world's leading amateur golf event, run by The R&A. A 288-player field, stroke-play qualifying then matchplay knockout.
Cost
R&A amateur championships are usually free to attend. Confirm the 2027 entry details on the official R&A page closer to the time.
Best for families
Older children and anyone who likes being outdoors. It's a walking day over open links with big coastal views — relaxed, roam-as-you-please golf.
What to wear
Comfy walking shoes and layers. Pack sun cream and a rain jacket both — the coast changes fast. Bring water and snacks.
Getting there
Portrush is on the train line from Coleraine and Belfast, a short walk from the course. By car there's the A26/A29 to the coast; check for any park-and-ride on the day.
Outdoors
Entirely outdoors on exposed links — plan for the weather and it's a wonderful day by the sea.
Questions
The Amateur Championship, answered
When is The Amateur Championship 2027?
It runs from Monday 14 to Saturday 19 June 2027 at Royal Portrush, with pre-qualifying on the Valley course beforehand. Check the R&A page for daily tee times closer to the dates.
Is it free to get in?
R&A amateur championships are usually free to attend, which makes this a rare chance to watch world-class golf without a big ticket price. The exact 2027 spectator arrangements are confirmed nearer the time — check the official R&A page before you set off.
Where is it played?
At Royal Portrush Golf Club on the Causeway Coast, over the Dunluce and Valley links. The Dunluce is the championship course that hosted The Open in 2019 and 2025.
Is it good for children?
It's a lovely outdoor day for older children and anyone who enjoys being out by the sea. You walk the open links following the players — relaxed and roam-as-you-please. Wear comfy shoes and pack for changeable weather.
What is The Amateur Championship?
It's the world's leading amateur golf championship, run by The R&A. A 288-player field plays stroke-play qualifying, then a matchplay knockout. It's where many future major champions first make their name.
How do I get to Royal Portrush?
Portrush is on the train line from Coleraine and Belfast, a short walk from the course, and easy to reach by car via the coast roads. Check the R&A site for any park-and-ride arrangements on the day.
Getting there
Royal Portrush sits right on the Causeway Coast at Portrush. The town is on the railway line from Coleraine (with connections to Belfast), and the course is a short walk from the station — an easy, car-free way in. By car, follow the A26/A29 up to the coast; Portrush gets busy for big events, so check the R&A site for any park-and-ride or parking notes closer to June 2027.
The Amateur Championship is one of golf's oldest and most respected titles — the world's leading championship for players who haven't turned professional. Winning it is a signal that a young golfer has arrived, and the list of past champions reads like a preview of the game's biggest names, players who went on to lift major trophies. Rory McIlroy played it as a teenager. When it comes to Royal Portrush in June 2027, some of the players walking the Dunluce fairways will, in a few years, be names the whole world knows.
And it lands on one of the finest stretches of coastline anywhere — the same Dunluce links that hosted The Open in 2019 and again in 2025, wrapped around dunes with the Atlantic crashing below and the Giant's Causeway just along the road. For a family, it's a rare mix: world-class sport, a wide-open outdoor day by the sea, and — as is usual for R&A amateur events — often no ticket price at all. Pack comfy shoes and a rain jacket, pick a player to follow, and go and watch a future champion take their first steps.