Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the European Tour group (DP World Tour) have signed a five year extension to their already long-term partnership that will secure the Abu Dhabi Championship on the DP World Tour schedule until 2028.
His Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, visited the headquarters of the DP World Tour at Wentworth Club in England to sign the agreement, where he was joined by Guy Kinnings, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Commercial Officer of the DP World Tour.
In November 2024, the 19th Abu Dhabi Championship will be held at Yas Links on Yas Island as the Rolex Series event now becomes the first of a two tournament $19 million UAE Swing in the new season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs.
The event will feature the then leading 70 players on the Race to Dubai Rankings in partnership with Rolex, with the top 50 at the end of the tournament qualifying for the following week in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Hub for world class golf
Speaking about the new agreement His Excellency Aref Al Awani, said: “Abu Dhabi has become a hub for world class golf, with the Abu Dhabi Championship being a jewel in the crown that also includes two Challenge Tour events and the inaugural Hero Cup earlier this year.
“The Abu Dhabi Championship has played a key role in marketing Abu Dhabi as a golf tourism destination and brings significant local economic value each year. The new schedule for 2024 will give the tournament even greater prominence and we look forward to working in close partnership with the DP World Tour to keep delivering an innovative spectacle that is befitting of the Rolex Series.”
Guy Kinnings, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Commercial Officer of the DP World Tour, added: “The Abu Dhabi Championship has become a true festival of golf that blends world class golf with family friendly entertainment.
“We are also proud of the fact that the tournament has embraced a wide range of community initiatives that are leaving a lasting legacy, from its strong sustainability credentials that are supporting our journey to net zero by 2040, to its support of local educational initiatives through our Golf Futures programme. The tournament’s November slot for 2024, within our new DP World Tour Play-Offs, will further elevate its profile as world class golfers descend on Yas Links once again.”
