Spidercam to Debut at The 153rd Open, Offering Fans a New Perspective
Golf coverage is set to break new ground at The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush with the introduction of Spidercam technology—a first for live golf broadcasting.
Deployed above the 18th green, the four-point wire camera system will deliver immersive, aerial footage, offering fans unprecedented views of the final hole as the drama unfolds.
Designed to enhance viewer experience, Spidercam will provide dynamic angles of approach shots, the green’s contours, and the Champion Golfer’s final walk, offering a perspective not previously seen in televised golf.
A New Chapter in Golf Broadcasting
The technology, familiar to fans of football, rugby, and cricket, will now join the suite of advanced production tools already used at The Open, including drone footage, bunker cams, and Toptracer ball-tracking.
Neil Armit, Chief Commercial Officer at The R&A, said:
“The Open stands among the world’s greatest sporting occasions, an event that calls for the highest standards in live television production to ensure that millions of viewers worldwide can witness every moment, every detail of play and every chapter in the unfolding story of this historic Championship.
We have worked closely with European Tour Productions and their production partners IMG to invest in cutting-edge broadcast technology and believe that Spidercam will bring millions of fans a new perspective of the action from Royal Portrush with incredible detail and accessibility wherever they are in the world.”
Richard Bunn, Chief Content and Revenue Officer at the European Tour Group, added:
“European Tour Productions has a long track record of producing coverage for many of golf’s biggest tournaments. Alongside our production partners IMG, we have a shared vision with The R&A to use the latest technologies to create a truly immersive experience for the millions of fans watching the global broadcast. With new innovations such as Spidercam being rolled out this year, The 153rd Open will get fans closer to the action than ever before.”
Comprehensive Global Coverage
The Open continues to offer one of the most extensive live broadcasting feeds in golf, with 48 hours of main coverage across the Championship rounds.
Viewers in the UK can watch via Sky Sports, while NBC will lead coverage in the United States.
In addition to the main feed, fans can follow the Championship through TheOpen.com, The R&A app, and R&A TV, which will feature multiple simultaneous streams, including:
- Four Featured Groups per day
- The dedicated Par-3 Channel from the 16th hole, ‘Calamity Corner’
- ‘Live at the Range’, presented in partnership with HSBC during practice rounds and early competition days
Digital Innovations for Fans
Enhanced digital tools will allow fans to stay engaged wherever they are. These include:
- Lock Screen Leaderboard previews
- Player-specific custom video and news feeds
- Fan voting for ‘Golfer of the Day’
For those on the go, The Open Radio will broadcast over 50 hours of live audio coverage, making the Championship more accessible than ever.
