September 17, 2026: With the Abu Dhabi Challenge returning to Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club for a third successive year from Wednesday, September 30 to Saturday, October 3, spectators are being invited to discover one of the UAE’s most remarkable destinations – with entry to the tournament free of charge.
Staged in partnership with co-organiser and sanctioning body the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), and supported by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the HotelPlanner Tour event offers golf fans four days of world-class competition – and the perfect reason to experience everything the Al Ain Region has to offer.
That offering has never been stronger, with the Al Ain Region named Arab Tourism Capital 2026, underlining its standing as one of the country’s leading visitor destinations.
Known as the Garden City of the Emirates, Al Ain is the country’s largest inland city, sitting approximately 160 kilometres east of Abu Dhabi and 120 kilometres south of Dubai. A 4,000-year-old settlement and the UAE’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a green oasis set against the vast expanse of the Rub al Khali, the world’s largest continuous sand desert. The Al Ain Oasis alone covers nearly 3,000 acres and is home to more than 147,000 date palms spanning up to 100 different varieties, fed by an ancient falaj irrigation system that has sustained the city for millennia.
Al Ain was also home to UAE founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was raised in the city, while its ancient forts, souqs and heritage villages offer visitors a window into a way of life that has endured for thousands of years. To the south, the dramatic peak of Jebel Hafeet rises nearly 1,300 metres from the desert floor – a constant presence on the skyline throughout tournament week and visible from the golf course itself.
For spectators looking to make more of their visit, the Al Ain Region offers a wealth of experiences beyond the course. History lovers can explore the UNESCO-listed Al Ain Oasis, Al Jahili Fort and Qasr Al Muwaiji, while families are well served by Al Ain Zoo and the waterpark thrills of Al Ain Adventure. Jebel Hafeet offers hiking and camping against one of the most dramatic backdrops in the Emirates. And with the city around 90 minutes drive from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai via the E22 and E66, a day at the golf can be easily turned into a full Al Ain weekend.
The tournament venue is a destination in its own right. The Championship Course, a par 70 stretching to 7,117 yards, brings water into play on the majority of holes, with several fairways bordered by Al Ain’s horse racing track. Its signature hole is the par-five 10th, which at 678 yards is the longest par five in the Arabian Gulf. Beyond the course, Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club offers world-class facilities across equestrian, shooting, rugby and cricket, all within one venue.
“We are extremely proud and excited to welcome the Abu Dhabi Challenge back to Al Ain,” said Mohammed Rashid Al Nasseri – General Manager at Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club. “It is a prestigious international tournament and a fantastic experience for everyone involved at the club. The event plays an important role in the continued growth of golf across the UAE and the wider Middle East, while providing Al Ain Equestrian Shooting and Golf Club with an invaluable opportunity to showcase the golf course, club facilities and hospitality on a global stage. We look forward to hosting another memorable and successful event”
There will be plenty to watch inside the ropes too. Former European Ryder Cup star Chris Wood and current Road to Mallorca Number One Christofer Blomstrand are among those confirmed to compete, alongside UAE-based favourites including David Horsey and Adri Arnaus, with the Abu Dhabi Challenge the final opportunity for players to secure their place in the Tour’s two season-ending events in China.
“I’m really looking forward to coming back home to play in Al Ain again,” said Arnaus. “It’s a really good track in amazing condition and the facilities are great. It’s a cool place for the Tour to visit too, with a lot for spectators to do in the area, so it’s well worth making a day or a weekend of it.”
The Abu Dhabi Challenge takes place at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club from Wednesday, September 30 to Saturday, October 3, with entry free of charge throughout the week.
