Staff WriterThe Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship returns from November 6–9, celebrating its 20th edition with a blockbuster field led by Masters champion Rory McIlroy and FedExCup winner Tommy Fleetwood. Hosted by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the DP World Tour, this milestone event kicks off the DP World Tour Play-Offs, setting the stage for golf’s elite to chase the Race to Dubai crown.
Two decades on, the Championship remains a jewel of Middle Eastern golf—a place where legends are made and fortunes turn. McIlroy, fresh off his 2025 Masters triumph and Irish Open victory, arrives in the capital as Race to Dubai leader, aiming to add a seventh season-long title to his glittering résumé.
Fleetwood, meanwhile, has been on a tear. After clinching his maiden PGA TOUR win and the FedExCup at East Lake, the Englishman helped deliver Europe’s first away Ryder Cup victory since 2013 with four match wins at Bethpage Black. Barely pausing for breath, he then secured his eighth DP World Tour title at the DP World India Championship, fending off Keita Nakajima with typical composure.
Penge’s Meteoric Rise
While McIlroy and Fleetwood dominate headlines, Marco Penge has quietly transformed into one of the year’s standout performers. The 27-year-old Englishman, who scraped through last season at 110th in the standings, has stormed to second place in the Race to Dubai with three victories—the Hainan Classic, Danish Golf Championship, and most recently, the Open de España presented by Madrid.
Penge also leads the chase for one of ten coveted PGA TOUR cards on offer to the top finishers not otherwise exempt—a career-changing incentive fueling fierce competition from Kristoffer Reitan, Adrien Saddier, John Parry, Alex Noren, Laurie Canter, Haotong Li, Daniel Brown, Keita Nakajima, and Jordan Smith.
Ryder Cup Heroes Return to Yas
Fans at Yas Links will be treated to a European Ryder Cup reunion, with nine members of Luke Donald’s victorious team confirmed to play. McIlroy will be joined by past Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winners Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton, and Fleetwood, alongside Ludvig Åberg, Matt Fitzpatrick, Rasmus Højgaard, Robert MacIntyre, and Sepp Straka.
The field also boasts local favourites Rafa Cabrera Bello, Tom McKibbin, Richard Mansell, Johannes Veerman, and Ewen Ferguson, ensuring an electric mix of star power and regional talent across four days of Rolex Series action.
More Than Just Golf
Beyond the fairways, the Championship Village promises a festival atmosphere with gourmet food, interactive golf zones, and family-friendly entertainment. Trick Shot Boys performances, Get Into Golf sessions, and the Future Falcons Zone will keep fans of all ages engaged, while nightly live music adds a buzz to the Yas Island skyline.
The entertainment lineup includes Three Down (Thursday), Shades of Jade (Friday), The Boxtones (Saturday), and LDN Romantic (Sunday), with DJs keeping the party rolling long after the final putt drops.
Saturday, November 8, marks Ladies Day, offering women two complimentary drinks on arrival, while Family Fun Day on Sunday, November 9, ensures a lively close with free ice pops for children and a suite of interactive activities.
Ticketing and Experiences
Entry is free for the first two days of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, with weekend tickets starting at just AED 100. For those seeking a touch of luxury, the “Bar on Nine” Ticket+ package—priced from AED 230—includes an AED 100 food and drink voucher.
For the full five-star treatment, the Championship Chalet on the 18th offers panoramic views, air-conditioned comfort, and premium hospitality, starting from AED 1,680.
The countdown is on, and the stage is set. As McIlroy, Fleetwood, and a world-class field descend on Yas Links, one thing’s certain—the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is ready to deliver another unforgettable chapter in golf’s modern era.
