The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is back, and it’s all about sport, stars and sustainability

Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the region’s longest running and most anticipated annual golf event, is back. The star-studded tournament will be held from January 26-29 at the Emirates Golf Club.

Since its creation in 1989, the tournament has been bringing together global golfing stars, in a celebration of world-class sport, with great food and amazing entertainment. In 2022, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic became part of the Rolex Series, the DP World Tour’s premium category, elevating the event’s global profile. Every year, the tournament sees the world’s top players compete on the iconic Majlis course for one of the tour’s most coveted trophies. This edition promises to be even more special with world number one and two-time champion Rory McIlroy joining the biggest names in golf to compete across four days for the prestigious Rolex Series $9m prize fund.

Fun time, family time

As always, the sporting event gives the community a great opportunity to interact and have a good time. Combining world-class golf with an array of family-friendly entertainment, spectators have a wider variety of options off the course than ever before with something for everyone to enjoy.

Everyone’s favourite ‘Tournament Town’ will stay open from 9am to 11pm, promising a fabulous, fun day out for the family. There’s also Kids Day Friday, where visitors can enjoy great food courtesy of their favourite food trucks, plenty of free entertainment and activities for kids of all ages, including bouncy castles, bubble artists, live stage shows, face painters, magicians and much more.

Supporting sustainability

The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is committed to supporting sustainability. A series of environmental measures are being implemented as part of the tournament’s on-going efforts to protect the planet and encourage sustainability.

One example of this is that 80 per cent of the area between the 11th and 15th holes is powered by solar panels.

The event has achieved yet another notable milestone. With refillable alternatives being used to avoid single-use plastics, more than 40,000 single-use plastic bottles have been diverted from landfill – and that’s just since the initiative was kicked off in 2022.

The organisers also use 100 per cent B20 biodiesel throughout the event, contributing to Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 target of using 75 per cent clean energy.

Visitors can also show their support. Those inspired to cut down their carbon footprint can choose to take the metro to the venue. Al Khail Metro Station is located directly outside the front entrance gate of Emirates Golf Club.

Centrepoint, Etisalat and Jabal Ali Metro stations also offer free parking; visitors can drive there, park their cars for free and hop on the metro to Al Khail Metro Station.

There’s a limited amount of on-site car parking, which is available for a fee of Dhs50 per car. The proceeds will be used to plant three mangrove trees locally which, during their lifetime, will offset 2,000 miles of car travel emissions.

General admission is completely free, but you have to register.