The DP World Tour Play-Offs concluded in spectacular fashion this November, with over 160,000 spectators attending the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and DP World Tour Championship across Yas Links and Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The two back-to-back Rolex Series events showcased world-class golf while demonstrating the Tour’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community engagement on a global stage.
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, won by Aaron Rai, drew 80,041 spectators for its 20th anniversary edition, while the DP World Tour Championship achieved a record-breaking 82,940 in attendance as Matt Fitzpatrick claimed a record-equalling third triumph.
The huge crowds at the DP World Tour Championship were also introduced to a new elevated first tee that proved hugely popular with spectators throughout the week. The platform remained packed for much of the weekend, hosting live Q&As with players, fan giveaways, and creating an electric atmosphere as the world’s best players launched their opening drives.
Alongside the record crowds, the Play-Offs generated unprecedented digital reach in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Total impressions on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for the DP World Tour Championship alone increased by 11%, delivering the highest ever recorded impressions by the tournament – alongside 14% increase in page views across dpworldtour.com and the mobile app during the period.
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship contributed significantly with total social impressions increasing by 3.2% year on year, with a 10% increase in page views across dpworldtour.com and the mobile app during the period.
Both championships delivered meaningful community impact through extensive education and youth engagement programmes. At the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, a Careers in Golf initiative partnered with The British International School Abu Dhabi to give 15 BTEC
Sport Level 3 students hands-on experience through behind-the-scenes tours and workshops with DP World Tour staff.
The Emirates Golf Federation’s Future Falcons Zone supported by Abu Dhabi Sports Council and HSBC, created a dedicated space for junior activities and a junior golf competition throughout the tournament.
They had run qualifying events in the weeks preceding the tournament at Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s Into the Night Series community events at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, Yas Acres, and Abu Dhabi Golf Club. These lucky 78 qualifying juniors then attended the tournament on the Sunday for the Future Falcons Final and Prize Presentation to crown the winners from the 1,757 participants.
The tournament’s extensive community schools programme saw school taster sessions and assemblies across 10 schools in Abu Dhabi. In addition the schools outreach programme informed 1,300 students across 52 Abu Dhabi schools, with another 1,300 students then attending the Championship on Thursday and Friday to experience world-class golf first- hand.
At the DP World Tour Championship, local schoolchildren from GEMS FirstPoint and Safa Community School gained behind-the-scenes access to explore careers across the golf industry through the Golf Futures programme.
The season-finale also partnered once again with Heroes of Hope, the UAE’s non-profit sports academy for people of determination. Twelve young athletes received golf lessons at the Tommy Fleetwood Academy over an eight-week period, culminating in a final session with DP World Tour winner Richard Mansell during tournament week.
Three of the athletes – Noah Evans, Thomas O’Brien, and Marwan Al Khaja – also collaborated with local abstract artist Rabab Tantawy to add the finishing touches to vibrant artwork displayed on the exterior of the Earth Lounge.
Women in golf received heightened focus through dedicated programming at the DP World Tour Championship, including British Mums Dubai golf clinics, Chicks with Sticks, The Birdie Club sessions, and Revive Pilates classes – many offering women their first opportunity to experience the sport.
These initiatives complemented the R&A Golf in the Community Forum held in Abu Dhabi, which brought regional stakeholders together to discuss women’s participation, community engagement, and golf’s health benefits.
The DP World Tour Championship served as one of the premier international events during the Dubai Fitness Challenge, showcasing golf’s central role in the annual wellness initiative. Through the Golf is Good x Dubai Fitness Challenge programme, supported by The R&A and the Emirates Golf Federation, fans could participate in complimentary golf lessons with professional instructors – all while watching the world’s best compete for the season’s ultimate prize.
The Play-Offs demonstrated significant environmental leadership through multiple Green Drive initiatives aligned with the Tour’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040.The DP World Tour Championship featured the Earth Lounge – the Tour’s most sustainable structure to date – fully powered by solar panels and hydrogen generators to deliver 100 percent reduction in CO2 emissions. The lounge eliminated all PVC branding, with all furniture and materials designed for recycling or reuse.
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship installed solar panels across multiple on-site facilities, including the Championship office, Spectator village, Media Centre, and 17th HSBC Skybox, paired with optimised battery systems. Fuel consumption dropped 25 percent compared to 2024 – a reduction of 10,000 litres – using only sustainable B20 diesel. Battery infrastructure was expanded to reduce diesel consumption by 66 percent.
Water conservation remained a priority across both championships. No More Bottles refill stations positioned strategically around the courses, combined with mobile hydration buggies, prevented over 145,000 single-use plastic bottles from entering waste streams. Anaerobic digesters efficiently processed food waste and diverted it from landfills, measurably reducing carbon emissions.
Tom Phillips, Head of Middle East for the DP World Tour, said: “The 2025 Play-Offs showcased everything we strive to achieve through our events in the region – world-class golf, record-breaking engagement, and meaningful impact across sustainability and community initiatives. The overwhelming response from fans, both on-site and digitally, demonstrates the strength of golf in the Middle East. We’re particularly proud of the progress made through our Green Drive initiatives and the thousands of young people we’ve engaged through our education programmes. These achievements set a strong foundation as we look ahead to 2026, and we’re excited to welcome fans back to both championships next year.”
Tickets for the 2026 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship are now on general sale with early bird pricing available. The DP World Tour Championship goes on general sale on 5th December, also featuring early bird pricing for fans looking to secure their place at next year’s season finale. Head to dpworldtour.com for more information.
