Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship Returns to Yas Links in November with McIlroy Set to Compete
The DP World Tour has elevated Aldar to Title Partner status for the 2026 Abu Dhabi Championship, underscoring the emirate's prominence as a world-class sporting destination.
The DP World Tour has announced an expanded partnership with Aldar, who will now serve as Title Partner for the 2026 Abu Dhabi Championship. The tournament, which forms the opening event of the season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs, will take place from 5-8 November at Yas Links.
This elevation of Aldar’s involvement reflects the real estate developer’s deepening commitment to professional golf. Having secured Official Marketing Partner and Official Real Estate Partner status with the DP World Tour in 2025, Aldar’s appointment as Title Partner represents a natural progression of their investment in the sport and the emirate’s sporting infrastructure.
The championship will welcome the leading 70 available players on the Race to Dubai Rankings, with the top 50 advancing to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai the following week. The competition showcases Abu Dhabi’s capacity to host tournaments of the highest calibre whilst maintaining the rigorous standards expected of professional golf.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Aldar, highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting that Abu Dhabi has established itself as a global hub for world-class sport and entertainment. He emphasised how Yas Island has been transformed into one of the region’s most sought-after destinations for living, visiting and investment, with this championship partnership providing a compelling platform to extend those connections to a growing international audience.
Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, welcomed Aldar’s involvement, describing the partnership as a reflection of how national organisations and the sports sector collaborate to deliver events befitting Abu Dhabi’s international standing. He expressed confidence that the championship would strengthen golf’s presence within the emirate whilst encouraging wider participation amongst young people.
The tournament has attracted considerable interest from elite competitors. Six-time Major Champion and current Masters Champion Rory McIlroy has confirmed his participation for the coming year. McIlroy, who is also the current Race to Dubai Champion, expressed his enthusiasm for competing at Yas Links, citing the immaculate condition of the course and the distinctive atmosphere that characterises the event. The Northern Irish golfer, who has finished runner-up at the Abu Dhabi Championship on four occasions, indicated his determination to secure victory whilst pursuing an eighth Race to Dubai title.
Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive Officer of the DP World Tour, described the partnership as a landmark moment, highlighting Aldar’s demonstrated commitment to utilising golf as a platform to showcase Abu Dhabi globally, engage communities and support the sport’s continued development.
Source: WAM