The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the second event of the International Swing portion of the DP World Tour schedule. This event has been played on the European Tour since 1989 and is one of six events to be played in the Arabian Peninsula. This event is also the first of five Rolex Series events on the European Tour. The Rolex Series events have elevated purses and Race to Dubai points.
Last year, Tyrrell Hatton defeated Daniel Hillier by one stroke to win his eighth career DP World Tour title. Other notable winners of this event are Tiger Woods, Seve Ballesteros, Fred Couples and Rory McIlroy.
About the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club
The Majlis Course plays just over 7,400 yards as a par 72. The golf course was opened in 1988 as the first grass golf course in the Middle East. Ernie Els shot the course record of 61 in 1994.
Who to Watch at the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic
The field is highlighted by defending champion Hatton, Dustin Johnson, Joaquin Niemann and Viktor Hovland. We predict Rory McIlroy will win the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic. He has won this event four previous times and is coming off a T3 last week at the Dubai Invitational.
As McIlroy enters his 20th year at this event, he reflects on what the Hero Dubai Desert Classic has meant to his career.
“In 2007, I made the cut, and that got me to world number one in the amateur rankings, and two years later, I won my first professional event here,” said McIlroy. “So it’s a lot of great memories. I’ve met a lot of great people along the way. Honestly, I’ve always felt like it was a perfect place to start the year.”
Hatton similarly enjoys this kickoff event saying, “I remember as a kid, I’d wake up early before going to school and I’d enjoy watching this event on TV. So to play in this event and to come back here as defending champion is somewhat surreal, but very special and I always enjoy starting my season here.”
How to Watch the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic
You can watch coverage of the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the Golf Channel and the NBC Sports App during the following windows. All times below are ET.
Thursday, January 22: 2:30am-7:30am ET on Golf Channel and the NBC Sports App
Friday, January 23: 2:30am-7:30am ET on Golf Channel and the NBC Sports App
Saturday, January 24: 2:30am-7:30am ETon Golf Channel and the NBC Sports App
Sunday, January 25: 2:30am-7:30am ET on Golf Channel and the NBC Sports App
