$9 million Hero Dubai Desert Classic golf prizes

Preparations have been completed for the launch of the 37th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament, as the best players in the world began arriving at the Emirates Golf Club, before the start of the first event in the Rolex Series of the “Race to Dubai 2026” season, where the tournament competitions will be held from Thursday to Sunday, January 22 to 25, and the total prize money is $9 million.

As preparations reach their final stages, and players are already familiar with the iconic Majlis Course, anticipation is building for what promises to be an amazing week of world-class golf and entertainment at the Greater Middle East Championship.
Rory McIlroy, the record holder for the number of wins in the tournament (four times), returns to the tournament in which he made his first appearance when he was 16 years old in 2006, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of his first participation. The current Masters champion and winner of five major tournaments in his career is seeking to lift the Dallah Cup for a historic fifth time, in the midst of competition alongside an elite group of distinguished players, including defending champion Terrell Hatton, former world number one Dustin Johnson, FedEx Cup champion Tommy Fleetwood, 2019 British Open winner Shane Lowry, 2022 Dubai Championship winner Viktor Hovland, and the 2022 World Series title winner Viktor Hovland. Rolex’s Nicolai Hoggard, PGA Tour winner Ryan Fox, and rising star Tom McKibben.
Former world number one and captain of the European Ryder Cup team, Luke Donald, also returns to Dubai, adding his experience and stature to the line-up, while Emirati golfer Ahmed Skaik joins the competition as a professional for the first time, highlighting the tournament’s ongoing commitment to supporting talent in the region.

The council stadium is ready
Tireless efforts have been made behind the scenes to prepare Al Majlis Stadium according to the highest standards for tournaments. Matthew Perry, Course Manager at Emirates Golf Club, oversees a team of more than 100 people working to ensure the course lives up to its reputation as one of the best golf courses in the world.
Perry said: “The preparations for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic have gone excellently. We came out of the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship last October in good shape, which has helped us move forward and prepare perfectly. All the areas are in good condition, the greens are in excellent condition, and we are now working on reducing their height and increasing the cutting and rolling speed to get the speed required for the round.”
He added: “The team has put in a tremendous effort over the past two weeks in preparation for this tournament, and we expect very positive feedback from the players. We are always keen to set very high standards given that it is a Rolex Series tournament and such a prestigious tournament. Last year we particularly focused on cleaning all the desert areas, which now look in great condition. Overall, I am very happy with the condition of the field before the start of the tournament, as it motivates us for what will be a busy and productive week at the same time.”
During tournament week, the farming team expands to include 105 staff, including staff seconded from Yas Links, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates, all working together to ensure that every blade of grass meets the exacting standards expected in a Rolex Series event.
Simon Corkill, Executive Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said: “The harmony between the tournament operations team and the Dubai Golf Agricultural Team is vital to delivering a world-class tournament. The work that Matt and his team do is absolutely fantastic, getting the field to its best condition at exactly the right time is an exact science, and they deliver outstanding performance year after year by tournament standards. With the strongest group of players in our recent history, and preparations going smoothly, we are fully prepared to welcome the players and fans to the tournament. The exciting 37th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.”

Reaching the tournament
There is no free or paid public parking available at Emirates Golf Club, so visitors are advised to use public transportation. To determine the quickest route, visitors can plan their visit using the trip planning tool in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic app, and they can also use the Roads and Transport Authority app to view public parking options in the surrounding areas.
The easiest way to reach the tournament is via the Dubai Metro, with Al Fardan Metro Exchange Station located directly in front of the main entrance of the Emirates Golf Club on the Red Line, providing easy access to the course. The station is well connected to key locations across the city, including Mall of the Emirates, Business Bay, The Dubai Mall, World Trade Center and Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport.
Visitors arriving by car can park their cars for free at Centrepoint, Etisalat, or Jebel Ali metro stations, then take the Red Line to Al Fardan Exchange Station, and arrive directly at the main gate. Spectator taxi drop-off and pick-up points will be available at the tournament site throughout the tournament, making it a suitable option for families and groups. Bus line 83 stops at Al Fardan Exchange Metro Station, directly in front of the entrance to the Emirates Golf Club, and connects several locations in Dubai.

An integrated festival outside of competitions

The 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic has evolved into a full-fledged golf festival, with the Championship Village the beating heart of the event. Highlights include an outdoor children’s area twice the size of previous years, an all-new Eat Street area featuring 12 food trucks and a giant LED screen, and live entertainment starting at 5:30pm every day, with the return of Family Petz on Family Friday, the first family concert in Dubai.
General admission is free on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 January, while admission during the weekend on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 January costs AED 100 upon advance reservation or AED 125 upon entry. Children under 17 years old are allowed free entry for all four days when registered with an adult.
General admission is free on Thursday and Friday, January 22 and 23. Ticket prices on the weekend start at 100 dirhams before the tournament (125 dirhams on the day of the tournament). Children aged 17 years and under, accompanied by their companions, are allowed to attend for free during all four days.
As for those looking for an upscale experience, the updated hospitality includes “The Social on Sixteen”, with a famous view of the 16th hole, starting at 695 dirhams, and “The Dallah Lounge”, which offers all-inclusive fine dining throughout the day, starting at 2,100 dirhams.