Potential Industrial Action could impact Merseyrail services during The Open.
Merseyrail is advising customers that services could be affected between Saturday 18 July and Monday 20 July 2026 following the notification of strike action by the RMT union as part of an ongoing dispute over the 2026 pay award.
The dispute involves RMT-represented station retailers, station assistants, train managers, revenue protection officers, control centre staff, cleaners and some head office employees. While strike action has been called, union members are currently voting on a revised pay offer from Merseyrail, with the ballot due to close at midday on Friday 17 July.
Following the rejection of an initial 4% pay increase for 2026, Merseyrail tabled an improved offer worth 7.25% over two years, backdated to January 2026, which is now being considered by union members. The outcome of the ballot will determine whether industrial action takes place.
If strike action goes ahead, Merseyrail will only be able to operate a very limited train service.
As The Open is taking place at Royal Birkdale and large numbers of visitors are expected to travel by rail, services on Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 July strike days will be prioritised to support the event.
On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July, a 15-minute service will operate on the Southport line only, meaning that fans will still be able to get to and from Royal Birkdale. Services will call at:
• Liverpool Central
• Blundellsands & Crosby
• Hillside (for Royal Birkdale)
• Southport
Services will run between 09:00 – 21:00, with a break in service during the middle of the day.
No services will operate elsewhere on the Merseyrail network.
On Monday 20 July, Merseyrail plans to operate a limited service across the network. Services will run from 10:00 until approximately 19:00, with a break during the middle of the day. Full timetable information will be published on the Merseyrail website and through the journey planner.
Quote from Neil Grabham, Managing Director, Merseyrail
"While strike action has been called, our hope is that RMT members will support the revised offer currently being considered and that disruption to our customers and the wider Liverpool City Region can be avoided."
"The Open Championship is one of the most important events in the region’s calendar, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and generating significant benefits for local businesses, communities and the tourism economy."
"Our teams are working hard to put contingency plans in place and, given the exceptional importance of The Open, we will prioritise a limited service between Liverpool and Southport to help spectators travel to and from Royal Birkdale. However, there will be significant disruption and no services will operate across large parts of our network."
"We have made an improved pay offer worth 7.25% over two years, backdated to January 2026, and remain committed to working with the unions to reach a resolution. With members currently voting on that offer, I very much hope we can avoid disruption and continue to provide the service our customers expect during such an important weekend for the city region."
