Wood, Blomstrand confirm participation as Abu Dhabi Challenge returns to Al Ain

The Abu Dhabi Challenge will return to the Al Ain Region for a third successive year, with Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club hosting the HotelPlanner Tour from Wednesday, September 30 to Saturday, October 3.

A strong field is already taking shape, with former European Ryder Cup star Chris Wood and current Road to Mallorca Number One Christofer Blomstrand among those confirmed to tee it up in Al Ain, alongside a host of UAE national team players and Dubai residents including David Horsey and Adri Arnaus, who will compete in familiar surroundings and in front of home support.

The stakes could hardly be higher. The Abu Dhabi Challenge is the final opportunity for players to secure their place in the Tour’s two season-ending Final Swing events in China, with only the leading 68 players on the Road to Mallorca Rankings – the season-long standings that decide who progresses towards the DP World Tour – advancing once play concludes in Al Ain.

Staged in partnership with co-organiser and sanctioning body the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) – and supported by Abu Dhabi Sports Council – the tournament has already proven itself a springboard to the game’s top level. Former champions Renato Paratore and Ricardo Gouveia both went on to secure DP World Tour promotion following their victories in the UAE.

Jamie Hodges, HotelPlanner Tour Director, said: “We are delighted to confirm that the Abu Dhabi Challenge will take place in Al Ain from September 30 to October 3 and we are very much looking forward to returning to the UAE.

“Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club has proved to be an excellent host over the past two years and, together with the Emirates Golf Federation and our partners, we are working towards another successful week.

“The UAE has established itself as an important destination for professional golf and the Abu Dhabi Challenge also provides a fantastic opportunity for UAE-based players to compete alongside some of the most exciting emerging talent in the international game.”

As part of the partnership, 30 places in the field are allocated to the EGF, giving UAE-based players the chance to test themselves against an elite international line-up. Last year, those places went to National Team members, UAE-based professionals, club professionals and emerging regional talent, while the EGF’s agreements with other golf federations also allow places to be exchanged, creating further opportunities for UAE players to compete in HotelPlanner Tour events around the world.

General Abdullah Al Hashmi, President of the Emirates Golf Federation, said: “The Abu Dhabi Challenge is an important event for golf in the UAE and we are delighted to welcome the HotelPlanner Tour back to Al Ain for a third successive year.

“Having 30 places available to the Emirates Golf Federation provides an invaluable opportunity for UAE-based players to compete against a high-quality international field and gain experience at this level of the game.

“Our relationship with other federations also enables us to create further opportunities for UAE players overseas, which is a key part of helping our leading players continue their development.”

Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “The Abu Dhabi Challenge reflects our commitment to hosting world-class sporting events and further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global sports destination. We are pleased to welcome the HotelPlanner Tour back to Al Ain and look forward to another successful edition.”The Championship Course at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club will once again provide the stage, and spectators can enjoy world-class golf while discovering one of the UAE’s most distinctive destinations.

Known for its green landscapes, cultural heritage and outdoor attractions, the Al Ain Region – recently named Arab Capital of Tourism 2026 – offers visitors plenty to experience beyond the golf course.

Entry to the Abu Dhabi Challenge is free of charge, with spectators welcome at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club across all four days from Wednesday, September 30 to Saturday, October 3.