DP World Tour Unveils Ambitious 2026 Global Schedule and Structural Reforms
The DP World Tour has announced its 2026 global schedule, featuring 42 tournaments across 25 countries and a record prize fund of $157.5 million, excluding the Major Championships. Marking a continued push into new markets and reinforcing its stature as golf’s premier international circuit, the Tour’s revamped structure underscores both its global ambition and commitment to competitive integrity.
The 2026 season will follow the now-familiar three-phase structure: five “Global Swings,” the “Back 9,” and the climactic “DP World Tour Play-Offs” in November. Among the key highlights is the introduction of the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, which will open the European Swing from May 7–10 at Real Club de Golf El Prat in Barcelona. This marks El Prat’s first DP World Tour event since 2015 and comes as Spain prepares to host the 2031 Ryder Cup at Camiral - becoming the first continental European country to do so twice.
Another significant addition is a new venue for the Amgen Irish Open, which moves to Trump International Golf Links Ireland in Doonbeg for the first time. Scheduled for September 10–13, the tournament remains a key fixture in the “Back 9” portion of the calendar.
The season will also feature increased alignment with the PGA TOUR, including the addition of the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic to the Race to Dubai from July 16–19. The Genesis Scottish Open (July 9–12), again co-sanctioned with the PGA TOUR, remains a cornerstone of the calendar as one of five Rolex Series events.
The Rolex Series will also include the Hero Dubai Desert Classic (January 22–25), the BMW PGA Championship (September 17–20), and the two Play-Off events: the Abu Dhabi Championship (November 5–8) and the DP World Tour Championship (November 12–15), where the 2026 Race to Dubai champion will be crowned. Dubai will host three events in total, including the returning Dubai Invitational from January 15–18.
In tandem with the schedule release, the DP World Tour announced key changes to its membership and qualification structure, aimed at creating more equitable access and greater predictability for players. Notably, the cut-off to retain a full Tour card will be tightened from the top 110 to the top 100 in the Race to Dubai Rankings. Meanwhile, the number of Qualifying School cards will be reduced from the top 20 and ties to the top 15 and ties.
Further refinements include changes to categories for players ranked just outside the top 100, re-ranking mechanisms for conditional status, and reduced card availability via the HotelPlanner Tour and the Road to Mallorca Rankings. The pathways for international talent remain open, with leading players from six global tours retaining eligibility for DP World Tour access.
Chief Executive Guy Kinnings described the 2026 framework as a “compelling season-long narrative,” emphasizing the Tour’s commitment to showcasing elite talent across diverse international venues. “Our thanks go to our partners, broadcasters, promoters, federations, and partner Tours for their support,” Kinnings said. “Together, we continue to spotlight the considerable depth of international talent on golf’s global Tour.”
With new venues, increased prize money, and a restructured pathway for professional advancement, the 2026 DP World Tour reaffirms its role as a central force in the global golfing calendar.
Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office
Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.
Oksana Bozhko
Vladyslava Garkusha
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