The World Number Two will lead a stellar field alongside Ryder Cup star and defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, former World Number One Dustin Johnson, FedExCup Champion Tommy Fleetwood, Major champion Shane Lowry, Norwegian standout Viktor Hovland, Rolex Series winner Nicolai Højgaard, 2025 PGA Tour victor Ryan Fox, rising star Tom McKibbin, Luke Donald, Patrick Reed, Jayden Schaper, and UAE’s Ahmad Skaik.

Tommy Fleetwood 2025 Fedex Cup Champion PGA Tour

The tournament, running 22–25 January, is the first Rolex Series event of the 2026 DP World Tour Race to Dubai and boasts a USD $9 million prize pool.

Tickets

Fans have plenty of ways to enjoy the action. General admission is FREE on Thursday and Friday with a registered ticket, while weekend tickets cost just AED 100 in advance or AED 125 on the day.

Children 17 and under attend free with a registered ticket and must be accompanied by an adult. This is the final and last chance to get them, as they are selling fast!

Food and Drink Options

Hospitality options include the signature Dallah Lounge from AED 2,100, Clubhouse Hospitality from AED 250, and the Social on Sixteen brunch experience from AED 695, which includes four hours of unlimited beverages, a selection of premium dining, plus a front row seat to world-class golf on the iconic 16th hole.

The Social on Sixteen

New for 2026, fans can watch the action from a wide range of upgraded viewing areas around the Majlis course, including grandstands at the 1st and 15th holes. There are new public decks with bars at the 11th green with the Emirates public deck with bar, and the 18th green has a public deck with bar.

At the 6th, 12th, and 14th holes, there are additional public bars and a viewing areas with a two-tier terrace for the panoramic views.

Tournament Town at Hero Dubai Desert Classic – Supplied

Away from the ropes, a bigger Tournament Town delivers expanded family experiences, live music, Family Friday entertainment, and a brand-new Eat Street food hub with food trucks and live tournament coverage throughout the day and into the evening, which includes a further public bar and rooftop terrace bar at the driving range by Callaway.

For more details and for ticket purchases, please visit www.dubaidesertclassic.com/event-tickets and via the Hero Dubai Desert Classic app on the App Store or Google Play.

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The post One Week To Go: Hero Dubai Desert Classic – All You Need To Know appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Rolex Series champion and two-time PGA Tour winner Ryan Fox, multiple Major winner Pádraig Harrington, 2023 Ryder Cup star Nicolai Højgaard and DP World Tour winners Tom McKibbin and Joaquín Niemann will join an already stellar field for the first Rolex Series event of the 2026 Race to Dubai.

The quintet will compete alongside defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, reigning Masters Champion and four-time Hero Dubai Desert Classic winner Rory McIlroy, reigning FedExCup Champion Tommy Fleetwood, 2022 Hero Dubai Desert Classic winner Viktor Hovland, 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry and former World Number One Dustin Johnson.

New Zealand’s Fox enjoyed a breakthrough year on the PGA Tour in 2025, claiming victories at the Myrtle Beach Classic and the RBC Canadian Open within weeks of each other. The 38-year-old, who won his fourth DP World Tour title at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2023, will tee it up on the Majlis Course for the 10th time.

“I enjoy playing in Dubai, and particularly at an event like the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, with such an incredible history,” said Fox. “ I’m looking forward to teeing it up at Emirates Golf Club again and hopefully getting the 2026 season off to a strong start.”

Pádraig Harrington

Ireland’s Harrington needs no introduction. The World Golf Hall of Fame inductee won back-to-back Open Championships in 2007 and 2008, the latter followed up with a PGA Championship victory later that summer to become the first European to claim consecutive Major titles since 1930. The 54-year-old, who captained Europe at the 2021 Ryder Cup, continues to compete at the highest level, winning two senior Major championships in 2025.

“Playing in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic helps get my season off to a good start and it is always a really enjoyable week. Playing golf in Dubai has been a key part of my career spanning three decades, and I’m looking forward to going back once again in 2026,” said Harrington.

Nicolai Højgaard

Denmark’s Højgaard, who was part of Luke Donald’s victorious European Ryder Cup team at Marco Simone in 2023, knows how to win in Dubai, having claimed the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates with a stunning back-nine birdie blitz later that same year. The 24-year-old and his twin brother Rasmus made history in 2025 by becoming the first twins to compete at The Masters together.

“Dubai holds great memories for me after winning the DP World Tour Championship,” said Højgaard, who also enjoyed success in the UAE when he secured the second of his four DP World Tour titles at the 2022 Ras Al Khaimah Championship. “The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is one of the biggest events on tour and it’s always a fantastic way to start the season. I’m excited to compete against such a strong field.”

Tom McKibbin

McKibbin, 23, won the Porsche European Open during his rookie season on the DP World Tour in 2023, and the Northern Irishman, who hails from the same town as McIlroy, impressed with a tied-sixth finish at the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

“The 2025 tournament was an excellent week for me. The Majlis Course is a superb test of golf, and as a Dubai resident, it’s always special to compete in my adopted home. I’m already looking forward to competing again at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January,” McKibbin said.

Joaquin Niemann

Chile’s Niemann returns to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic for his second appearance, after impressing with a tied-fourth finish on his debut in 2024.

“I really enjoyed my first experience at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and I’m looking forward to coming back,” said Niemann. “The Majlis Course suits my game and with such a strong field, it’s the perfect way to start the year. I have great memories of Dubai and I’m excited to compete again.”

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said: “With one month to go, the excitement is building for what promises to be an exceptional 37th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Ryan, Pádraig, Joaquín, Nicolai and Tom represent the very best of the modern game – from established champions to rising stars who are redefining what’s possible on Tour. Combined with the world-class names already confirmed for January, we’re set to deliver a week of outstanding golf and entertainment for our fans.”

Beyond the global golfing competition, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic transforms into the must-attend event on the January Dubai social calendar, blending world-class golf with live entertainment, fun family activities, and exceptional dining experiences.

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Rory McIlroy

The tournament, running 22–25 January, is the first Rolex Series event of the 2026 DP World Tour Race to Dubai. This year marks 20 years since Rory McIlroy made his debut as a 16-year-old amateur; the four-time Dallah Trophy winner returns in search of a record fifth title in the USD $9 million prize pool.

David Cannon Getty Images

Fans have plenty of ways to enjoy the action. General admission is free on Thursday and Friday with a registered ticket, while weekend tickets cost just AED 100 in advance or AED 125 on the day. Children 17 and under attend free.

Hospitality options include the signature Dallah Lounge from AED 2,100, Clubhouse Hospitality from AED 250, and the Social on Sixteen brunch experience from AED 695–790, offering four hours of drinks, premium dining, and views of the iconic 16th hole.

The Social on Sixteen

New for 2026, Eat Street debuts as a foodie destination with local favourites and international vendors, including MrBeast Burger, Salt Burgers, Yalla Mahalla shawarma, and Vietnamese Foodies.

Tournament Town offers daily entertainment, family activities, and sustainability experiences, including Dubai’s first family-friendly rave, FamilyBeatz, on Friday.

For more details and for ticket purchases please visit www.dubaidesertclassic.com/event-tickets and via the Hero Dubai Desert Classic app on the App Store or Google Play.

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