The Big Picture / The Open Championship 2025 Project Overview
The Open Championship, often referred to simply as “The Open” or “The British Open” internationally, is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. Organised by the R&A, based in St Andrews, Scotland, the revered “Home of Golf” this iconic sporting event stands as a cornerstone in the history and culture of golf. Known for its challenging links courses often located in exposed coastal sites, The Open draws international attention and sets the stage for unforgettable moments in the sport.
WH Silverbacks was honoured to be approached by the R&A directly this year, tasked with creating a bespoke onsite solution for the Open Championship 2025 held at Portrush. While we were already on-site building the Players’ Lounge on behalf of Arena, this additional collaboration marked a significant milestone for us as the go to experts as event structure specialists.
The Brief: Crafting the Ticket Plus Area
The R&A needed a versatile covered solution for the Open Championship 2025 Ticket Plus area at Portrush. The area needed to be capable of accommodating large guest numbers in an exposed coastal environment, which is a specific challenge for this site.
The Challenge: Open Coastal Sites and Logistics
Links golf courses, like the one at Portrush, pose a unique challenge due to their open and exposed coastal locations. Designing and installing stretch tents in such environments requires planning for high winds, uneven terrain, and the logistical complexities of working on expansive, exposed sites.
The Solution: Bespoke L-Shaped Stretch Tent Design
With an available space of nearly 1000 square meters at hand, we proposed creating an L-shaped covered area using three interconnected stretch tents. Having been on-site earlier with Arena, during the construction of the Players’ Lounge, we were able to fully understand the location, assess challenges, and prepare for potential obstacles before returning to Portrush for the Ticket Plus structure build.
After detailed conversations and layout designs with the organisers, the L-shape structure was confirmed. The stretch tents needed to be functional but visually inviting, keeping guests comfortable and sheltered while adding a real air of elegance to the space. The structure needed to be built on top of a carpeted flooring area, prepared closer to the event date by Arena.
Our final design was an interconnected system of three stretch tents forming an L-shaped covered area spanning nearly 1000 square meters. This dynamic configuration maximised the available space while ensuring structural stability in unpredictable weather conditions.
Key Design Features of the Structure:
- Interconnected Stretch Tents: These offered seamless transitions between sections which made the space work well functionality and aesthetically.
- Carpeted Flooring: Installed by Arena to create a high end guest experience and installed by WH Silverbacks.
- Decorative Festoon Lighting: Applied after installation to create a warm and welcoming vibe.
The Journey & Installation Process
The journey back to Portrush in early July was a logistical feat! Driving from Dorset to Cairnryan, Scotland (approximately 460 miles), followed by a ferry crossing to Larne and then a final drop to the site at Portrush. As ever, the WH Silverbacks team were up for the challenge.
Installation Challenges:
- Weather: Unlike the sunny conditions we experienced while building the Players’ Lounge in May, the setup for the Ticket Plus area faced challenging wind conditions on Day 1, slowing progress.
- Tent Prep: Large stretch tents require meticulous preparation, including laying out the fabric, setting stakes, attaching ropes and carabiners, and ensuring everything is secure.
Despite the challenges, the tent lift was successfully completed on Day 2. Once the structure was up, we adorned the space with festoon lighting – a beautiful combination that transformed the area into an inviting and fun environment for guests.
Outcomes & Impact: The Ticket Plus Experience
The completed structure transformed the Ticket Plus area into a standout feature of the event, seamlessly combining practicality with striking visual appeal. The sleek stretch tent design, enhanced by warm and inviting festoon lighting, created an atmosphere that was both stylish and welcoming. Guests were able to enjoy the space in comfort, making lasting memories, regardless of the unpredictable weather.
Not only did the bespoke setup meet the R&A’s vision, but it also showcased the flexibility and resilience of stretch tents in exposed, demanding environments like Portrush.
Record breaking crowds
In 2025 Sail GP attracted over 20,000 fans, setting a record for the largest sailing event in the UK and the Northern Hemisphere and is likely to return to Portsmouth again in 2026.
““At WH Silverbacks, we thrive on delivering creative solutions for challenging spaces. Designing and installing the Ticket Plus area at Portrush not only showcased our technical expertise but also highlighted the ability of stretch tents to turn any location into a welcoming and visually stunning event space. It was a pleasure to work on such a well known, and important, event in the sporting calendar.”
Work With Us
Have a Project You’d Like to Discuss? – Get In Touch
Let WH Silverbacks transform your event space into something unforgettable. Contact us today to discuss your event vision and discover how our bespoke structures bring this to life!
- Tel: 01202 096957
- Email: info@whsilverbacks.co.uk
