Hero Dubai Desert Classic 37th: World’s Top Golfers Converge In Dubai

The 37th Hero Dubai Desert Classic is set to return to Emirates Golf Club from 22nd to 25th January, opening the 2026 Race to Dubai as the first Rolex Series event. The tournament again places Dubai at the centre of international golf, with elite players competing for the historic Dallah Trophy on the Majlis Course.

This year’s field is among the strongest in the event’s history. Record four-time champion Rory McIlroy heads the line-up, returning two decades after first playing the tournament. McIlroy will chase a fifth victory against defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, along with Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland, Dustin Johnson, Nicolai Højgaard, Ryan Fox and Tom McKibbin.

Final work is under way on the Majlis Course, where Emirates Golf Club’s agronomy team has spent months preparing championship playing conditions. Officials report the layout is in excellent shape, ready to test the field. Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said the collaboration between tournament organisers and course staff has ensured the event is ready to welcome players and fans for what promises to be a memorable edition.

Former world number one and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald will also tee it up at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The field further includes UAE golfer Ahmad Skaik, who will play as a professional for the first time. Skaik’s participation highlights the tournament’s continuing role in supporting regional golf talent from the Middle East.

Spectators at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic will find more than world-class golf. Tournament Town will provide a festival-style setting throughout the week, with family activities, live entertainment, and wider food and hospitality choices. General admission is free on 22nd and 23rd January, with paid entry on 24th and 25th January, strengthening Dubai’s profile as a major host for global sporting events.

With inputs from WAM