FedExCup Champion and World Number Four Tommy Fleetwood has committed to the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, adding further star power to the prestigious event set to take place at Emirates Golf Club from 22-25 January 2026.
The Dubai resident will join his European Ryder Cup teammates, defending champion Tyrrell Hatton and reigning Masters Champion Rory McIlroy as an elite field gathers for the first Rolex Series event of the 2026 Race to Dubai.
Fleetwood enjoyed a stellar 2025 season, claiming the FedExCup title in the US after a dramatic victory at the Tour Championship on the PGA Tour, before playing a crucial role in Europe’s historic Ryder Cup triumph at Bethpage Black under captain Luke Donald.
The former Race to Dubai champion will make his 15th consecutive appearance on the Majlis Course next year, having contested the Hero Dubai Desert Classic every season since turning professional. Fresh from his victory at the inaugural DP World India Championship last month, Fleetwood hopes to once again savor the joy of celebrating with friends and family, this time in his adopted hometown.
“It’s been an incredible year, winning the FedExCup and being part of that special Ryder Cup victory for Europe,” said Fleetwood. “I always enjoy starting my season in Dubai and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic has become a tournament that I love. I’m looking forward to teeing it up close to home in front of friends and family once again and trying to get my hands on that famous Dallah Trophy.”
Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, added: “Tommy’s return is another exciting addition to what is shaping up to be an exceptional field for 2026. His incredible FedEx Cup triumph and continued excellence on both sides of the Atlantic, combined with his integral role in Europe’s Ryder Cup success, make him one of the game’s most compelling competitors. As a Dubai resident, Tommy has a special connection with our tournament and its fans, and we’re thrilled to welcome him back as he chases his first Dallah Trophy.”
An Unforgettable Fan Experience
Already GEO-certified for the third consecutive year, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic continues to set the benchmark for sustainable golf events. In 2026, organisers will build on the tournament’s strong commitment to health, wellness and mental fitness, while prioritising greener transport options for spectators. With the metro on the doorstep and convenient taxi links, fans can enjoy a smooth and eco-friendly journey to Emirates Golf Club.
Away from the elite competition, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic will once again deliver an unmatched festival atmosphere. Tournament Town will be the hub of off-course excitement, packed with live entertainment, family activities, food trucks, arts and crafts, and interactive experiences for all ages. From music and performances to wellness experiences and kids’ activations, it’s the perfect day out for families and friends alike.
Ticketing & Hospitality
General admission remains free on Thursday and Friday, with weekend access available from AED 100 pre-event (AED 125 on the day). Children aged 17 and under can attend free of charge across all four days with a registered ticket when accompanied by an adult.
Returning after a hugely successful debut in 2025, The Social on Sixteen will once again overlook the iconic 16th hole, and this year will be double in size! Guests can enjoy four hours of free-flowing beverages, premium casual dining and unbeatable views of the action over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available from AED 695.
For the most premium hospitality experience, The Dallah Lounge, nestled between the 9th and 18th greens, offers all-day inclusive gourmet food and beverages and exclusive rooftop views of Dubai’s skyline. Packages start from AED 2,100.
Now entering its 37th edition, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the oldest professional golf event in the Middle East and a flagship Rolex Series event on the DP World Tour, combining world-class sport with sustainability leadership and unforgettable fan experiences.
About Hero Dubai Desert Classic
The Dubai Desert Classic was founded in 1989 as the first DP World Tour event to take place in the Gulf, and the first and only GEO-certified golf event in the Middle East, highlighting the event’s continued dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainable golf events. Regarded as one of the most significant events on the DP World Tour, and part of the prestigious Rolex Series, it has been credited with paving the way for golf’s presence in the Middle East, as well as creating some of the most iconic moments in golfing history.
Promoted and organised by Falcon and Associates, the tournament played on the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club, is fondly referred to as the ‘Major of the Middle East’, due to its legacy and world-class players drawn to the tournament every year.
The tournament is supported by title sponsor, Hero MotoCorp, and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), a founding partner of the Dubai Desert Classic. The 37th edition of the event will take place 22–25 January 2026 in Dubai.
About Hero MotoCorp
Hero MotoCorp, headquartered in New Delhi, India, is the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters for 24 consecutive years, with a global footprint spanning 48 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America and a customer base of over 125 million. VIDA, powered by Hero, is the company’s dedicated electric mobility arm, driving innovation and sustainability. Hero MotoCorp has collaborations with Harley-Davidson and Zero Motorcycles and strategic investments in Ather Energy and Euler Motors. The company operates eight manufacturing facilities – six in India and one each in Colombia and Bangladesh – along with two Research and Development centers: Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in India and Tech Centre Germany (TCG) near Munich. Hero MotoCorp is the only Indian two-wheeler manufacturer listed on the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). Beyond mobility, Hero MotoCorp is a leading global corporate promoter of multiple sports including golf, football, field hockey, and cricket. Hero MotoSports Team Rally is India’s flag bearer in global rally racing, while legendary golfer Tiger Woods is the company’s Global Corporate Partner.
About the DP World Tour
The DP World Tour is the main men’s professional golf tour of the European Tour group.
As golf’s global tour, we showcase global talent in global destinations and use our platform to build, entertain and connect our global community.
GLOBAL TALENT:Â We provide pathways and a platform for the leading international talent, bringing together golfing icons, national heroes and emerging stars from around the world.
GLOBAL DESTINATIONS:Â We stage tournaments in iconic cities and locations around the world and each week we celebrate and showcase the rich diversity of the courses, cities and cultures we visit.
GLOBAL COMMUNITY:Â We build, entertain and connect communities through our commitment to innovation, creative content and having a positive social and environmental impact.
Our 2025 Global Schedule features 42 tournaments in 26 different countries and comprises three distinct phases: five ‘Global Swings’, the ‘Back 9’ and the ‘DP World Tour Play-Offs’. It features five Rolex Series events – the premium category of events on the DP World Tour – and four Major Championships, all of which count towards the Race to Dubai Rankings, the Tour’s season-long competition which concludes at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
DP World, the leading provider of global smart end-to-end supply chain and logistics solutions, has been the title partner of the DP World Tour since the start of the 2022 season, the Tour’s 50th season following its formation in 1972.
We also enjoy the support of many of the world’s leading business brands with DP World, Rolex, Aldar, AWS, BMW, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Emirates, Fortinet, Nexo and Vestas as Official Partners.
About the European Tour group
The European Tour group administers the DP World Tour, the HotelPlanner Tour, the Legends Tour and the G4D Tour and, as the Managing Partner of Ryder Cup Europe LLP, stages golf’s greatest team contest, the Ryder Cup, in partnership with the PGA of America.
The European Tour group has Strategic Partnerships with the PGA TOUR, the Sunshine Tour, the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, the China Golf Association (CGA), the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO), the Korea Professional Golfers’ Association (KPGA), and the TATA Steel Professional Golf Tour of India. These partnerships provide global pathways for players from across the world to compete internationally on the DP World Tour, the main men’s professional golf Tour of the European Tour group which was established in 1972, as well as the HotelPlanner Tour.
