Staff WriterWith the Hero Dubai Desert Classic now one month away, the field has just been handed another glossy layer of stardust—five more names added to an already punchy line-up for Emirates Golf Club from 22–25 January. If you’re the sort who likes your season openers with pedigree, palms, and a leaderboard that bites back, Dubai is doing its level best to oblige.
Rolex Series champion and two-time PGA Tour winner Ryan Fox, multiple Major winner Pádraig Harrington, 2023 Ryder Cup man Nicolai Højgaard, and DP World Tour winners Tom McKibbin and Joaquín Niemann will all take their seats at the big table for the first Rolex Series event of the 2026 Race to Dubai.
And the table is already crowded with serious company: defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, reigning Masters Champion and four-time Hero Dubai Desert Classic winner Rory McIlroy, reigning FedExCup Champion Tommy Fleetwood, 2022 winner Viktor Hovland, 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry and former World Number One Dustin Johnson.
Fox: “incredible history” and a familiar Dubai stage
New Zealand’s Fox didn’t so much knock on the PGA Tour door in 2025 as kick it clean off the hinges—winning the Myrtle Beach Classic and RBC Canadian Open within weeks. The 38-year-old is no stranger to the desert either: his fourth DP World Tour title came at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2023, and Dubai will mark his 10th competitive lap of the Majlis Course.
“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.”
Harrington: still sharpening the blade, three decades on
Harrington, now 54, has the kind of CV that makes young pros sit up straighter. Back-to-back Open Championships in 2007 and 2008, a PGA Championship later that same summer, and the small matter of captaining Europe at the 2021 Ryder Cup. He’s also still winning at a rate most people half his age would happily take, with 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.
Højgaard: Dubai wins, Masters history, and a taste for big stages
Højgaard already knows what it feels like to win under Dubai skies, having taken the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in 2023 with a blazing back-nine run. The Dane was also part of Luke Donald’s victorious Ryder Cup team at Marco Simone that year, and in 2025 he and twin brother Rasmus became the first twins to compete at The Masters together—proof, if any were needed, that golf is getting faster, younger, and less interested in waiting its turn.
“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.”
McKibbin: a Dubai resident with a point to prove
McKibbin is 23, already a DP World Tour winner (Porsche European Open in 2023), and—handily—comes from the same town as McIlroy. He also finished tied-sixth at the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which is the sort of form that tends to earn you a few extra glances when the field this strong rolls into town.
“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.
Niemann: back after a tied-fourth debut
Niemann returns for his second appearance after a tied-fourth finish on debut in 2024—exactly the sort of “hello, I belong here” result that turns a first invite into a regular booking.
“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.”
Tournament director: “the excitement is building”
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.”
Not just golf: Tournament Town, bigger Family Zone, and a new Eat Street
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic has long understood a simple truth: elite sport gets people through the gate, but atmosphere keeps them there. Beyond the ropes, the event leans into its reputation as a January social staple—live entertainment, family activities, and dining that’s designed to tempt even the non-golfers into staying “just one more hour”.
Tournament Town will run a packed slate of activations, with live bands and DJs carrying things into the evening. The Family Zone is double the size for 2026 after high demand, with sustainability workshops, a 2-in-1 bungee trampoline, expanded soft play, a VR corner, and a family-friendly rave on Family Friday for ages toddler-to-teen from 3–6 pm.
Food-wise, the new Eat Street destination promises a mix of Dubai favourites and big-name imports—homegrown vendors alongside international options including MrBeast Burger, Vietnamese Foodies, and Yalla Mahalla.
Tickets and hospitality: free days, weekend pricing, and the premium options
- Thursday & Friday: General admission is FREE.
- Saturday & Sunday: Tickets from AED 100 in advance, AED 125 on the door.
- The Social on Sixteen (alternative brunch): Now twice the size for 2026, with four hours of free-flowing beverages, premium casual dining and views of the 16th hole. Tickets from AED 695.
- The Dallah Lounge: Between the 9th and 18th greens, inclusive gourmet food and beverages plus rooftop skyline views. Thursday/Friday packages only, from AED 2,100 (limited availability).
Tickets are on sale at: www.dubaidesertclassic.com
