Defending champion and European Ryder Cup star Tyrrell Hatton is set to return to the Emirates Golf Club for the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, scheduled from January 22–25. The Englishman will make his 11th career appearance at the event, joining an elite field that includes reigning Masters Champion and career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy for the first Rolex Series event of the 2026 Race to Dubai.
Hatton, who played a pivotal role in securing Europe’s Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black, sealed the decisive half point alongside McIlroy as Team Europe triumphed 15–13 over the United States marking their first away win since 2012. His exceptional form throughout 2025, including a victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a tied-fourth finish at the U.S. Open, and top-20 results at both The Masters and The Open Championship, cemented his spot in a fourth Ryder Cup appearance.
The eight-time DP World Tour winner produced four rounds under par at Emirates Golf Club to claim the prestigious Dallah Trophy by one stroke, securing his second Rolex Series title. Looking ahead, Hatton expressed his excitement about defending his crown:
“I’m delighted to be heading back to Emirates Golf Club to defend my title. It’s a course that really suits my game, and my win there was incredibly special. It’s always great to return to a place where you’ve tasted success, and I’m excited to have another chance to contend for the title after an incredible year.”
Beyond the greens, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic promises an unmatched festival atmosphere. Tournament Town will once again serve as the vibrant hub of off-course entertainment, featuring live performances, family activities, food trucks, arts and crafts, and interactive experiences for all ages. With wellness activations, music, and kids’ programs, the event continues to deliver a perfect family day out.
Early bird tickets are now available, with free general admission on Thursday and Friday and weekend passes starting from AED 75. Children aged 17 and under can attend for free across all four days.
Premium experiences include The Dallah Lounge, located between the 9th and 18th greens, offering gourmet dining, beverages, and exclusive rooftop views of Dubai’s skyline from AED 1,890. Returning by popular demand, The Social on Sixteen overlooking the iconic 16th hole will double in size for 2026, providing four hours of free-flowing beverages and premium casual dining from AED 625.
Already GEO-certified for the third consecutive year, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic continues to set benchmarks for sustainable golf events. The 2026 edition will further expand its initiatives around health, wellness, and mental fitness, while prioritizing eco-friendly transport options for spectators, including convenient metro access and green travel solutions.
Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director, remarked:
“We’re thrilled to welcome Tyrrell back to defend his title. His presence reinforces the tournament’s stature among the premier events on the global golfing calendar. With an expanded line-up of Ryder Cup stars and enhanced premium experiences, the 2026 edition promises to be truly exceptional.”
Now entering its 37th edition, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic remains the oldest professional golf tournament in the Middle East, combining world-class competition, sustainability leadership, and an unforgettable fan experience at the heart of Dubai’s golfing heritage.
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 centres: 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: 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: 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: 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, 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.
About the Rolex Series
The Rolex Series is the premium category of events on the DP World Tour, comprising five tournaments in 2025, staged in a variety of world-class golfing locations around the globe, each with a minimum prize fund of US$9 million.
Showcasing innovation, enriched media, content and broadcast coverage, and a superior event experience for both fans and for the world’s top players, the list of Rolex Series Champions includes some of golf’s most distinguished names.
The Rolex Series was launched in 2017, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Rolex’s enduring partnership with the European Tour group.
In 2025, the Rolex Series comprises; the Hero Dubai Desert Classic (January 16-19), the Genesis Scottish Open (July 10-13) the BMW PGA Championship (September 11-14), the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (November 6-9) and the DP World Tour Championship (November 13-16). The latter two events comprise the DP World Tour Play-Offs and feature the leading 70 and 50 players from the Race to Dubai respectively.
