With just seven days remaining until the first tee shot, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is preparing to welcome thousands of spectators to Emirates Golf Club, many of whom won’t pay a single dirham for entry.
The 37th edition of the Middle East’s oldest professional golf tournament runs from 22nd to 25th January, and organisers have confirmed that general admission remains completely free on both Thursday and Friday. Weekend passes for Saturday and Sunday cost AED 100 if purchased in advance, rising to AED 125 at the gate, while anyone under 17 enters free across all four days when accompanied by a registered adult.
It’s an accessibility strategy that reflects the tournament’s evolution from a purely sporting occasion into what organisers are billing as one of Dubai’s most inclusive winter festivals.
At the centre of the golfing action sits a stellar international field. Rory McIlroy returns in pursuit of a record fifth Dallah Trophy, marking two decades since he first competed at the event as a 16-year-old. The Masters champion and Grand Slam winner will face stiff competition from defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, a fellow Ryder Cup star, alongside former World Number One Dustin Johnson, FedExCup Champion Tommy Fleetwood, and Major champion Shane Lowry.
Norway’s Viktor Hovland, Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard, New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, and rising talent Tom McKibbin round out a formidable lineup. Former World Number One and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald brings experience and pedigree, while Major champion Patrick Reed adds further star quality. Current Race to Dubai leader Jayden Schaper represents the next generation, and UAE national golfer Ahmed Skaik will compete professionally for the first time, underscoring the tournament’s commitment to regional talent development.
This year’s Rolex Series event carries a minimum prize fund of US$9 million, befitting its status as one of five premium tournaments on the DP World Tour’s 2026 calendar.
But beyond the fairways and greens of the legendary Majlis Course, the tournament has expanded its off-course offering considerably. Tournament Town has become the social epicentre, with the outdoor Kids Zone now double its previous size. Families can explore arts and crafts stations, seed-bomb making, soil painting workshops, playdough sessions, and Fluid Bear painting using ceramic statues. Build-a-Bear activities and the Glitter Box add extra sparkle, while roaming performers including The Tee Time Troupe, The Par-tee Players and The Garden Floaters circulate throughout the day.
The expanded zone now features a 2-in-1 bungee trampoline, larger soft play areas, an enhanced VR corner, the Big Red Slide, and various lawn games. Airbrush calligraphy artists and caricaturists will create personalised mementos for visitors.
Meanwhile, sustainability remains embedded in the tournament’s DNA. The Hero Dubai Desert Classic holds the distinction of being the first Middle Eastern golf event and the first DP World Tour Rolex Series tournament to achieve GEO Certified Tournament status, a credential it has now maintained for two consecutive years. Interactive sustainability workshops will run on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th January, while free refillable water stations positioned around the venue support the Dubai Can initiative. Guests are encouraged to bring reusable bottles.
The Step Fore It Challenge, presented by Mediclinic, returns to reward active spectators. Research indicates golf fans average more than 11,500 steps daily at tournaments, and participants can register their step counts via iPad upon arrival and departure. The top five step-takers from Thursday through Sunday will claim prizes including a Comprehensive Health Package from Mediclinic worth AED 3,000, a Viya Duo Quarterly Pass for two adults granting access to five-star leisure venues, golf lessons at the Peter Cowen Academy, and group sessions at Topgolf.
On the culinary front, Eat Street makes its tournament debut as a dedicated food destination. Twelve bespoke food trucks surround a central seating area equipped with a giant LED screen streaming live action. Vendors include MrBeast Burger’s smash burgers, Salt burgers, Topgolf bites, Yalla Mahalla’s shawarma, Vietnamese Foodies’ fresh dishes, Hangry Joes’ Nashville-style fried chicken with Korean influences, La Morita’s modern Mexican fare, Pret a Manger, BŌTA, and Costa Coffee.
For spectators seeking optimal sightlines, multiple viewing zones return and expand for 2026. The 1st Tee Grandstand allows fans to watch players launch their rounds, while the 15th Green Grandstand delivers front-row drama at one of the Majlis Course’s signature holes. Fresh additions include a public viewing deck with integrated bar at the 18th Green, creating a vibrant standing environment as the tournament reaches its climax.
The Public Bar & Viewing Deck offers a two-tier terrace with panoramic sightlines across the 6th, 12th and 14th tees, enabling spectators to track multiple points of play simultaneously. The Emirates Deck overlooks the 11th green, whilst the rooftop terrace bar at the Driving Range by Callaway provides yet another elevated perspective.
The Social on Sixteen returns, now twice its previous size, combining views of the iconic 16th hole with a lively atmosphere. From noon until 4pm, guests enjoy four hours of complimentary beverages including hops, grapes, spirits and soft drinks, alongside premium casual dining. The menu features classic and pulled beef burgers, crispy chicken, plant-based options, pizzas from The Westin’s Bussola, and Asian-inspired bowls from BŌTA. Tickets cost AED 695 on Friday, and AED 790 for Saturday and Sunday.
Those preferring a more refined experience can opt for the Dallah Lounge, positioned between the ninth and 18th greens. Gourmet dining, premium beverages and live cooking stations come standard, with Sky Deck access offering panoramic views across the fairways and Dubai Marina. Only Thursday tickets remain available at AED 2,100, with premium hospitality packages selling rapidly.
The Emirates Golf Club Clubhouse presents a relaxed yet elevated alternative, combining premium dining, comfortable lounges and sweeping fairway views. Tickets are priced at AED 250 for Thursday and Friday, rising to AED 350 for the weekend.
Family Friday brings FamilyBeatz to Tournament Town from 3pm to 6pm, transforming the space into what organisers describe as Dubai’s first family-friendly rave. Teenage DJ Julie headlines alongside live acts, delivering high-energy entertainment designed for all ages. The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature contributes a Reading Corner on Friday 23rd January from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, where children can enjoy live readings from acclaimed authors including Curtis Jobling.
As evening approaches, Tournament Town transitions seamlessly into after-dark mode. From 5:30pm until late, live bands, singers and DJs take over, with performances from Skyline, Speed Wagon, Sweet Chilli Jam, Charley and DJ Rainier delivering an open-air festival atmosphere suitable for after-work gatherings or full evenings out.
The Creators Dubai Desert Classic, running 17th-18th January, precedes the main tournament. This second edition brings 16 leading golf content creators, including Mac Boucher and the Fore Brothers, to Dubai for curated experiences blending golf, culture and lifestyle. Last year’s initiative generated 13.3 million views from a single video, bringing the sport to younger, digitally native audiences through innovative storytelling.
Getting to Emirates Golf Club requires some planning, as no onsite parking exists this year, either free or paid. Organisers actively encourage public transport use under the tournament’s ‘Go for the Green’ initiative. The venue enjoys a unique advantage as the only DP World Tour event with a metro station directly outside its entrance. Al Fardan Exchange Station on the Red Line connects seamlessly to key locations including Mall of the Emirates, Business Bay, Dubai Mall, World Trade Centre and Airport Terminal 3.
Motorists can park free at Centrepoint, Etisalat or Jebel Ali Metro stations before boarding the Red Line to Al Fardan Exchange, arriving directly at the front gate. Taxi drop-off and collection points will operate throughout, offering convenience for families and groups. Bus route 83 also stops at Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station. Visitors can plan journeys using the Hero Dubai Desert Classic app’s Journey Planner.
With last year’s event reaching capacity across multiple ticket categories, early registration is strongly recommended for anyone planning to attend.
The tournament represents a significant moment in the DP World Tour’s 2026 Global Schedule, which features 42 tournaments across 25 countries. The season comprises three distinct phases: five ‘Global Swings’, the ‘Back 9’ and the DP World Tour Play-Offs, with five Rolex Series events anchoring the calendar. All results count toward the Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World, the season-long competition concluding at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Whether drawn by world-class sport, family entertainment, culinary exploration or simply the prospect of quality time outdoors during Dubai’s winter season, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic has positioned itself as an event designed for sharing. Tickets and comprehensive information are available at www.dubaidesertclassic.com.