The 38th Hero Dubai Desert Classic takes place from 21 to 24 January 2027 at Emirates Golf Club.
Rory McIlroy returns in pursuit of a record fifth Dallah Trophy.
Weekday general admission is free with registration, while early bird weekend daily tickets cost AED 85.
The 38th edition tees off in January with free weekday entry, family entertainment and a new rooftop brunch.
Rory McIlroy is heading back to Dubai, with another trophy in sight. The four-time winner has confirmed his place at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2027, which returns to Emirates Golf Club from 21 to 24 January.
The Northern Irishman returns as a six-time Major champion after successfully defending his Masters title in April 2026. His connection with the Dubai tournament dates back to 2006, when he made his debut as a 16-year-old amateur. He secured his first professional victory here in 2009, followed by wins in 2015, 2023 and 2024. This time, he will be chasing a record fifth Dallah Trophy.
“It’s been another incredible year, and to win the Masters again, this time with my parents there to share it with me, was very special. A memory I’ll cherish forever,” said McIlroy.
First staged in 1989, the Dubai Desert Classic is the UAE’s oldest golf tournament and a landmark for the sport in the region. As the first DP World Tour event held in the Middle East, it helped introduce elite tournament golf to a new audience and has since delivered some of the tour’s most unforgettable moments. Today, it forms part of the DP World Tour’s Rolex Series, with players competing for a US$9 million prize fund.
Away from the fairways, Tournament Town welcomes all ticket holders for live music, entertainment and family activities, including Family Friday. Eat Street, which launched in 2026, also returns with international dishes and casual bites. The full entertainment programme and participating food outlets will be announced closer to the tournament.
New for 2027, Rooftop18 takes over from The Social on Sixteen. Open throughout the tournament, the venue combines views of the ninth, 16th and 18th greens and the 17th tee with a five-hour brunch featuring a buffet and unlimited house beverages. Guests must be aged 21 or over. Early bird packages cost AED 595 on Thursday, AED 795 on Friday, and AED 895 on Saturday and Sunday.
The Dallah Lounge has also been expanded and redesigned, offering additional capacity and views across the ninth and 18th greens. Early bird packages start from AED 1,980, while Clubhouse Hospitality is available from AED 500.
General admission is free on Thursday 21 and Friday 22 January 2027 with a registered ticket. For Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 January 2027, early bird daily tickets cost AED 85, increasing to AED 110 before the event and AED 135 on the day. Children aged 17 and under receive free general admission throughout the tournament when registered and accompanied by an adult.
With big names, big crowds, and a big prize purse, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic remains one of Dubai’s essential winter fixtures. Keep an eye on the tournament’s social channels for player announcements and on-the-ground updates as the countdown to January begins.
Where: Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Emirates Golf Club, Emirates Hills, Dubai
When: 21 to 24 January 2027
Contact: www.dubaidesertclassic.com