Rory McIlroy has confirmed his presence at the Dubai Invitational 2026 (15–18 January) at Dubai Creek Resort. The five-time major winner will thus kick off the season after an extraordinary 2025 where he completed the career Grand Slam with the Masters and secured victory with Europe at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, the first triumph on American soil in thirteen years. Additionally, he still has the chance to win the Race to Dubai for the seventh time overall and fourth consecutively.
McIlroy already knows what it’s like to compete for this tournament: he was second in the inaugural edition two years ago, one shot behind Tommy Fleetwood, the champion then and also confirmed for 2026. In fact, he has unfinished business with the tournament, as he led going into the final hole and lost the victory after hitting his drive into the water. Currently world number 2 and leader of the Race to Dubai 2025, the Northern Irishman will link two weeks in the Emirates with the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the first Rolex Series event of the season, which he has already won four times.
“Starting the year in the Emirates has always been my preference. I’ve had fantastic weeks there and Dubai will be no different next January,” McIlroy stated. “Dubai Creek Resort was a great venue and Abdulla and his team put on an incredible tournament. I came very close to winning, so hopefully 2026 will be another great year and starting strong in Dubai would be the perfect way to begin.”
From the organisers, Abdulla Al Naboodah, the tournament host, celebrated the Northern Irishman’s return: “It is an honour to welcome a Grand Slam winner like Rory McIlroy. His participation elevates a top-tier field of players and we will work to deliver another exceptional week of competition and hospitality for players, partners, and fans.”
The Dubai Invitational will open the International Swing of the Race to Dubai and will be held alongside a three-day Pro-Am, with Sunday reserved for professionals. The format brings together 60 DP World Tour golfers and 60 amateurs in a biennial event that, in its second edition, will once again place Dubai in the spotlight at the start of the season.
