Staff WriterThe Hero Dubai Desert Classic has never been shy of breaking new ground. Now, in partnership with Deloitte, the tournament is swinging for the future with the launch of the Green Incubator Challenge — a global call for bold ideas to make events more sustainable.
The winning concept will debut at the 2027 DP World Tour and Rolex Series edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, with the potential to change the way sport and entertainment tackle climate change.
This isn’t just another feel-good initiative to pat ourselves on the back and carry on as usual. The Green Incubator Challenge is open to entrepreneurs, start-ups, students, and companies across the globe.
Whether it’s a fresh concept or a ready-to-roll solution, the goal is the same: cut waste, reduce impact, and prove that sport doesn’t have to be a guilty pleasure for the planet.
A first for golf — and the world
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic has already made history as the first golf event in the Middle East, and the first within the DP World Tour Rolex Series, to secure GEO Certified® Tournament status three years running.
Now it’s the first golf event anywhere to crowdsource sustainable solutions on an international stage. In a sport sometimes accused of being stuck in its ways, that’s practically a moon landing.
“We’re incredibly proud to introduce the Green Incubator Challenge as golf’s first-of-its-kind initiative, driving sustainable innovation across sport and entertainment.
Through this Challenge, we aim to identify bold, visionary ideas that will shape the future of sustainable events globally,” said Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
Deloitte’s guiding hand
Winning teams won’t just get bragging rights. They’ll receive hands-on mentoring and professional support from both the tournament and Deloitte, the event’s strategic Knowledge Partner.
Deloitte brings a CV stuffed with climate consulting projects for governments, businesses, and communities. Their role in the Challenge is to make sure the chosen ideas aren’t just visionary, but actually doable and scalable.
Daniel Gribbin, Sustainability Leader at Deloitte Middle East, said: “At Deloitte, we are committed to partnering in initiatives that drive sustainable innovation and create tangible environmental impact. The Green Incubator Challenge exemplifies how collaboration between sports and entertainment industry leaders and innovators can accelerate the transition to greener events.
We are proud to support as the Knowledge Partner to help the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and wider events in the industry in advancing this vital agenda and look forward to nurturing the groundbreaking solutions that will emerge from this challenge.”
DP World Tour backing
The initiative also has full backing from the DP World Tour’s Green Drive programme, which aims to hit net zero carbon by 2040.
Maria Grandinetti-Milton, Director of Sustainability at the DP World Tour, said: “As part of our Green Drive programme and commitment to be net zero carbon by 2040, we’re always encouraging our tournaments and promoters to embrace sustainability innovation.
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic has always been at the forefront of this, and the new Green Incubator Challenge is another example of their leadership in sustainability. I can’t wait to see the ideas and innovations that spring from the Challenge in the months ahead.”
How to get involved
Entries close later this year, with a shortlist announced on 18 November 2025 and three finalists revealed on 19 December 2025. The finalists will then pitch their solutions to a panel of expert judges during the week of the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
If your brainwave could help reinvent the way global events deal with sustainability, now’s the time to step up.
For full details and to sign up for the Green Incubator Challenge, visit the Hero Dubai Desert Classic website.
