Share Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Copy Link Rory McIlroy will play the Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links from November 5 to 8, the DP World Tour has confirmed. The announcement came alongside news that Aldar, the Abu Dhabi real estate developer that owns the course, has become title partner of the first of the season’s two Play-Off events. The tournament will now be known as the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship. McIlroy arrives as six-time major champion, the reigning Masters champion and the defending Race to Dubai champion. He has never won in Abu Dhabi. “I’ve finished runner-up here four times, so I’d obviously love to go one better and finally win it,” he said. “I really enjoy finishing my season in the UAE, and hopefully I can have a strong week and put myself in a position to win another Race to Dubai title.” Rory McIlroy chases a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title That is the bigger prize at stake over the fortnight. Another Race to Dubai title would be McIlroy’s eighth, matching Colin Montgomerie’s record. “His chase for a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title will add further drama to this year’s Play-Offs,” said Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive Officer of the DP World Tour. McIlroy was complimentary about the venue, which has hosted the tournament since 2022. “Abu Dhabi is a fantastic place to visit, Yas Links is always in immaculate condition, and the atmosphere throughout the week makes it a special event,” he said. Richard Heathcote How do the DP World Tour Play-Offs work? The leading 70 available players on the Race to Dubai Rankings qualify for the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, a Rolex Series event. The top 50 after Yas Links then go on to the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai from November 12 to 15, where the season’s rankings are settled. England’s Aaron Rai is the defending champion. He won at Yas Links last November and went on to claim his first major at this year’s US PGA Championship. Why Aldar is the new title partner Aldar has been an Official Marketing Partner and Official Real Estate Partner of the DP World Tour since 2025. As the developer behind Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, and the owner of Yas Links, the title partnership is a natural extension of that relationship. The tournament is staged by Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the DP World Tour. His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Aldar, said: “Aldar has been instrumental in shaping Yas Island into one of the region’s most sought-after places to live, visit and invest, and becoming Title Partner of the Abu Dhabi Championship builds naturally on that foundation.” H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said he hoped the event would encourage “more young people to take up and enjoy the sport”. Ross Kinnaird How much are Abu Dhabi Championship 2026 tickets? General admission is free for the first two days. Tickets for the weekend start at Dhs75. The Bar on Nine Ticket+ option returns after selling well last year, with a limited number of promotional tickets from Dhs170, including a Dhs100 food and drink voucher. The Championship Chalet beside the 18th green offers air-conditioned hospitality from Dhs1,680. Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship 2026: key information Dates: Thursday, November 5 to Sunday, November 8. Venue: Yas Links, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Field: leading 70 available players on the Race to Dubai Rankings. Status: Rolex Series; first of two DP World Tour Play-Off events. Defending champion: Aaron Rai. Tickets: free on Thursday and Friday; from Dhs75 on Saturday and Sunday. Follow Golf Digest Middle East Tags Abu Dhabi Championship Aldar DP World Tour Rory McIlroy Yas Links Abu Dhabi About the Author Thomas Woodgate View All Articles →
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: golfdigestme.com