After the success of the “Race to Dubai” season…a global award for the “DB World” golf tour

The DB World Golf Tour won the Best Global Event Award for organizing the final round of the “Race to Dubai” season, which was held at the Jumeirah Estates Golf Club last November with the participation of the world’s best stars, at the annual Sports Industry Awards in the Middle East.
The DB World Tour team in the Middle East, where the World Tour is based in the UAE as its regional headquarters, received the award at a ceremony yesterday, Wednesday, at Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of an elite group of sports leaders in the Emirates.
The DP World Dubai World Tour won the award for the 2025 DP World Tour Championship, as this award honors the most prominent international sporting events held in the Middle East that have demonstrated excellence in organisation, influence and legacy. The DB World Tour Championship, held in Dubai in 2025, attracted the largest number of spectators in the history of golf tournaments in the Emirates, as they watched Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick defeat Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy to win the title after a thrilling playoff round.

The tournament witnessed new innovations in its design to enhance the fan experience, such as the “Magic Sky” roof on the starting point of the first strike, and contributed to achieving additional economic revenues worth $60 million. More than 30% of ticket buyers were international visitors, which confirms that the tournament, which is one of the events of the Rolex Elite Series, contributes significantly to stimulating international tourism in Dubai.
The tournament continued its leadership in sustainability, with the re-construction of “Earth Lounge”, a hydrogen-powered hospitality unit made of sustainable materials, located on the 16th hole. The tournament also hosted the second edition of the Tour’s Supplier Sustainability Awards, in a ceremony honoring innovations in the field of sustainability within the global schedule of the Tour’s championships.
This is the second consecutive win for the tournament, after winning the same award last year. The DB World Tour also received the Outstanding Recognition Award in the Best Sports Organization of the Year category, following a remarkable year in 2025 that witnessed a record attendance of 163,000 spectators at the last two final qualifying tournaments held in the UAE in Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively, as well as strong growth in sponsorship revenues and television viewership rates throughout the season.
Established in 2012, with the support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Middle East Sports Industry Awards (SPIA) are an official celebration of the leaders, decision-makers, organisations, facilities and campaigns that have contributed to the development of sport in the region.
Speaking about winning the award, DB World Tour Middle East Managing Director, Tournaments and Operations, Freddy Schmeisser, said: “The DB World Tour continues to receive prestigious awards in the areas of tournament organization, sponsorship activation, digital content and sustainability, underscoring our continued commitment to being among the most innovative entities in sports broadcasting rights. As the finale of our season and one of the five events of the Rolex Series, the eyes of the golf world turn to the DP World Tour Championship every November, and we have been We are proud to deliver another unforgettable tournament last year, thanks to two Ryder Cup stars competing until the final moments. We would also like to thank our main partner, DP World, and all our partners and suppliers for helping us deliver another world-class event that leaves a positive mark on the local community.”