Open Championship lodging costs in St Andrews raise questions about Airbnb pricing

Prices for lodging around the Open Championship in St Andrews are drawing scrutiny after listings revealed eye‑popping costs for the 2027 event. The Open, set for July 2027 at the Old Course, is one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments and draws visitors from around the world, but critics say some hosts are leveraging demand to push prices higher than typical market rates.

A five‑bedroom townhouse in Murray Park is advertised for a seven‑night stay from July 11 to 18, 2027, at £57,388. The listing notes that the total includes a £75 cleaning charge and Airbnb’s service fee of £8,313. The property is near the course where top players including Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are expected to tee off. Prices for the same property during the weeks on either side of the championship drop to about £575 per night, or just over £4,000 for the week.

Consumer expert Scott Dixon, of The Complaints Resolver, called the seven‑night rate for the Murray Park townhouse “dynamic pricing at its worst” and warned that such pricing could undermine the Open’s appeal if affordable options are scarce. World number one Scottie Scheffler and world number two Rory McIlroy are among the top players expected to compete, magnifying demand for proximity to the Old Course and prompting higher lodging charges.

North East Fife Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie criticized the price levels, saying: “The rent levels for the Open are stratospheric. St. Andrews is a special place but there are lower cost ways to enjoy it.” St Andrews councillor Al Clark described the current listings as unfortunate, noting that housing at a price point could prohibit many visitors from accessing accommodation during the Open.

An Airbnb spokesman said hosts set their own prices and that the listings cited by the report have not received reservations, arguing they are not representative of booked accommodation for The Open Golf Championship. VisitScotland urged businesses to consider value for money and the quality of hospitality when welcoming Open‑week visitors.

Beyond the single seven‑night listing, market observers note other properties show similarly wide price swings around Open week. A separate four‑bedroom townhouse is listed at £3,000 per night during the Open week, but the rate falls to about £600 the week before and roughly £943 the week after. The pattern underscores the broader challenge of balancing peak‑demand events with affordable options for fans and casual visitors.

Officials and industry observers say the episode highlights the tension between event‑driven demand and accessible tourism. While the Open Championship brings economic activity to St Andrews, there is steady concern over how lodging markets respond to spikes in global interest and the potential impact on the town’s reputation as the “home of golf.”