DP World Tour unveils record $157.5m global schedule for 2026
Record prize fund set for next season across 25 countries
DUBAI – The DP World Tour has officially confirmed its global schedule for 2026, with the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship and a new venue for the Amgen Irish Open standing out as headline additions.
The announcement reveals a record-breaking prize fund, an expansive international calendar, and significant changes to membership rules that will reshape the competition landscape.
The season will include a minimum of 42 Race to Dubai tournaments across 25 countries, reinforcing the Tour’s status as one of golf’s most international competitions. The structure will once again comprise three distinct phases, beginning with five ‘Global Swings’, moving into the ‘Back 9’, and culminating in the ‘DP World Tour Play-Offs’ in November 2026.
Members will compete for a record total prize pool of $157.5 million (excluding the Major Championships), underscoring the growing global stature of the Tour.
New tournament highlights
The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, the first tournament on the European Swing, will debut from 7–10 May at Real Club de Golf El Prat in Barcelona. This marks the return of the venue to the DP World Tour for the first time since the 2015 Open de España. The introduction of the event follows the recent announcement that Camiral in Catalunya will host the 2031 Ryder Cup, making Spain the first continental European nation to stage the biennial contest twice.
The schedule also includes the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic, which will count towards the Race to Dubai for the first time from 16–19 July. In addition, the ISCO Championship will run from 9–12 July, offering members another key summer event.
The Amgen Irish Open will move to a new venue at Trump International Golf Links Ireland, Doonbeg, where it will be staged for the first time from 10–13 September. The shift in location comes on the back of Rory McIlroy’s memorable victory at the tournament last week, further raising the profile of the event as part of the ‘Back 9’.
Rolex Series and Dubai
The 2026 season will again feature five Rolex Series events, the highest tier of tournaments on the DP World Tour. These include the Genesis Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club from 9–12 July, which will continue its co-sanctioned status with the PGA TOUR.
Other Rolex Series highlights include the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from 22–25 January, the BMW PGA Championship from 17–20 September, and the two Play-Off events in Abu Dhabi (5–8 November) and Dubai (12–15 November), where the Race to Dubai Champion will be crowned.
In total, Dubai will host three tournaments in 2026. Alongside the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, the Dubai Invitational will return from 15–18 January after alternating with the Team Cup during the current 2025 season.
Tour structure changes
Alongside the tournament schedule, the DP World Tour has also announced major updates to its membership structure, approved by the Tour’s Tournament Committee. These changes are aimed at providing greater certainty and more balanced playing opportunities for all card holders.
Key updates include:
- The cut-off to retain a full card through the 2026 Race to Dubai Rankings will be reduced from the top 110 to the top 100 players for the 2027 season.
- All players listed on the Race to Dubai and Road to Mallorca Rankings will count when defining categories for the following season, with exceptions for amateurs and associate members.
- Players finishing 101–110 on the 2026 Race to Dubai Rankings will gain a conditional card (Category 18), ranked initially below Qualifying School graduates but subject to re-ranking during the season.
- The number of cards available to top finishers on the HotelPlanner Tour will be reduced from 20 to 15.
- Players finishing in positions 16–20 on the 2026 Road to Mallorca Rankings will qualify for Category 19, just below those finishing 111–125 on the Race to Dubai Rankings.
- Qualifying School cards will also be reduced, from the top 20 and ties to the top 15 and ties.
- Leading players from six international tours will remain eligible for Category 17, with additional full HotelPlanner Tour cards available to the top two players from the PGA Tour of Australasia, Sunshine Tour, Japan Golf Tour, and Korean Golf Tour.
Kinnings on schedule
Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, said: “Our 2026 schedule once again showcases our global talent in global destinations as we celebrate the diversity of the courses and cultures we visit.
“The five Global Swings, the Back 9 and the DP World Tour Play-Offs provide a compelling season-long narrative on the Race to Dubai, comprising many historic national Opens and international events that have an enduring appeal to our members and our fans.”
He added: “Our thanks go to our partners, broadcasters, promoters, federations and partner Tours for their support and commitment to the DP World Tour and we look forward to once again spotlighting the considerable depth of international talent we have on golf’s global Tour.”