Catch the biggest golfing players competing for over AED 33 million worth of prizes.
This winter, the UAE’s events calendar is packed, and sport is taking centre stage. Leading the charge is the 37th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which returns to Emirates Golf Club in January 2026. Expect a star-studded field featuring some of the world’s top golfers, all competing for a share of AED 33 million (US$9 million) and the chance to etch their names into Dubai’s sporting story.
Hero Dubai Desert Classic tees off at Emirates Golf Club from 22 to 25 January 2026, bringing the Rolex Series spotlight back to the iconic Majlis Course. Building on the momentum of the 2025 edition, the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic promises action-filled days that go far beyond the fairways.
On the sporting side, expect a heavyweight field. Rory McIlroy returns, aiming for a record fifth Dallah Trophy, while also marking 20 years of competing at the tournament. He will be joined by defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, FedEx Cup Champion and World Number Three Tommy Fleetwood, Major winners Dustin Johnson and Shane Lowry, plus Ryder Cup star Viktor Hovland, the 2022 Hero Dubai Desert Classic champion.
Alongside world-class golf, visitors can look forward to a lively village atmosphere with live music, excellent food and drink, and plenty of family-friendly fun. A dedicated kids’ zone means little ones are entertained while parents follow the drama on course.
Once the sun drops, Tournament Town turns up the volume with an all-new music line-up from 5:30pm until late, featuring acoustic sets from Skyline and Sweet Chilli Jam Band, followed by DJ Rainier spinning big commercial hits.
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. Its elevation to the prestigious Rolex Series in 2022 further cemented its status, guaranteeing high-calibre fields, polished production, and a premium spectator experience.
General admission tickets are free on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 January. Weekend access is AED 100 in advance (AED 125 at the door), while children under 17 are free on all days when registered and accompanied by an adult. Limited ticketed experiences are also available, including AED 695 for Friday, and AED 790 for Saturday and Sunday.
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.
GO: Visit www.dubaidesertclassic.com for more information.