The Open introduces fan conduct rules for record 300,000 crowd

The R&A will implement a new spectator code of conduct, known as The Open Commitment, at this year's tournament at Royal Birkdale. Fans who commit serious or repeated breaches face removal from the course without a refund. The rules arrive ahead of the 154th edition of the final men's major of the year, which expects a tournament-record crowd of over 300,000 spectators.

For the European sports broadcasting market, managing this unprecedented attendance is a significant commercial and operational challenge. The event's atmosphere is a core asset for its exclusive UK and Irish broadcaster, Sky Sports, which is planning over 75 hours of live coverage across the week. However, recent incidents at the US Open and the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black—where eventual champion Wyndham Clark was targeted by hecklers—have exposed the risks that unruly behaviour poses to the broadcast product and the tournament's traditional brand.

To safeguard the event, the new framework asks fans to follow five core principles centred on respect and awareness. Spectators must remain quiet and still during play, keep mobile devices on silent, and refrain from audio or video recording. The R&A has also established a zero-tolerance policy towards threatening behaviour, foul language, sexual harassment, or discriminatory abuse targeting players, officials, or fellow attendees.

The guidelines extend beyond crowd control to address the physical and local impact of a 300,000-person turnout. Fans are instructed to stay behind ropes to protect the historic links, avoid cordoned-off areas to safeguard local wildlife, and use reusable water bottles to reduce waste. The R&A further stipulates that flags and clothing must not obstruct views, and asks attendees to be considerate of local communities when travelling to and from the venue.

R&A chief executive Mark Darbon framed the changes as a protective measure rather than a shift in the event's character. "The atmosphere at The Open is unlike any other major sporting event and one of the things that makes it so unique," Darbon said. "The Open Commitment isn't about changing what makes The Open so special, it is about maintaining its long-standing traditions."