Click here to watch the time lapse video of the build for the Open Championships
GL events Seating and Stadia has built the largest ever arena at St Andrews in the history of the 144 Open Championships, providing an epic backdrop when the champion is crowned on Sunday 19th July.
The spectacular new grandstand arena, seating almost 10,000 people has been created around the famous 1st, 17th and 18th holes of the Old Course for The Open. The arena will be completed by a new L-shaped grandstand, being constructed behind the 17th green, and a stand sited by the 1st green.
The new grandstand seating plan at St Andrews follows the success of GL events Seating & Stadia’s horseshoe grandstand at Royal Liverpool Golf Club last year, which covered three sides of the 18th green and proved hugely popular with players and spectators. In another first, a two-tiered grandstand will be erected behind the 18th green to further enhance the extraordinary atmosphere created by the grandstands located alongside the adjoining first fairway.
The grandstand behind the famous Road Hole will have a capacity of more than 4,000 people and will offer spectators a panoramic view of the 17th, 18th, 1st and 2nd holes. GL events Seating & Stadia will provide an additional 2000? seats and a platform for TV cameras over the Old Course shop using a steel structure. These seats are situated in the prime viewing location of centre stand providing extremely good sightlines from the 500mm rise per row upper tier.
More than 21,000 grandstand seats will be available across the entire course, giving spectators plenty of options to enjoy excellent views of the links such as at the ‘loop’ where the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th holes can all be viewed. Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said, “There is always an incredible atmosphere at The Open and particularly when it is held in St Andrews. We want to make sure as many spectators as possible can experience that unique atmosphere and enjoy wonderful views of the play on the opening and closing holes at St Andrews. The new arena will provide a fantastic setting for the climax of the Championship at the 72nd hole and will be the ideal place for spectators to greet the new Champion Golfer of the Year.”
