The 2025 DP World Tour Play-Offs in the United Arab Emirates have transcended conventional sporting achievements by establishing a profound legacy in youth development, community engagement, and environmental sustainability. Comprising the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship at Yas Links and Jumeirah Golf Estates, these events have demonstrated golf’s capacity to drive positive societal change.
Educational initiatives formed a cornerstone of the tournaments’ outreach. The Careers in Golf program provided 15 BTEC Sport Level 3 students from British International School Abu Dhabi with exclusive behind-the-scenes access and professional workshops. Simultaneously, the Emirates Golf Federation’s Future Falcons Zone created competitive opportunities for juniors, culminating in 78 finalists selected from 1,757 entries competing for honors during the championship weekend.
Spectator engagement reached unprecedented levels with 80,041 attendees witnessing Aaron Rai’s victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and 82,940 fans observing Matt Fitzpatrick equal the record for DP World Tour Championship titles. The newly elevated first tee at Jumeirah Golf Estates enhanced the spectator experience through live interviews, fan interactions, and creating an electrifying atmosphere for opening drives.
Digital metrics reflected growing global interest, with social media impressions increasing by 11% year-on-year for the DP World Tour Championship, while page views across dpworldtour.com and the mobile application surged by 14%.
Inclusion initiatives featured prominently through the partnership with Heroes of Hope, the UAE’s non-profit sports academy for people of determination. Twelve young athletes completed eight weeks of specialized golf instruction at the Tommy Fleetwood Academy, culminating in a session with DP World Tour winner Richard Mansell. Three participants collaborated with local artist Rabab Tantawy to create a vibrant artwork displayed at the Earth Lounge, symbolizing the integration of sports, creativity, and inclusion.
Women’s participation received significant emphasis through dedicated clinics and programs including British Mums Dubai golf sessions, Chicks with Sticks, The Birdie Club, and Revive Pilates classes, providing many women with their inaugural golf experience. These efforts coincided with the R&A Golf in the Community Forum, which assembled regional stakeholders to discuss female participation, community outreach, and golf’s health benefits.
Environmental sustainability achieved landmark progress with the DP World Tour Championship introducing the Earth Lounge—a facility entirely powered by solar panels and hydrogen generators, achieving complete elimination of CO₂ emissions. The venue eliminated PVC branding and utilized fully recyclable or reusable materials. The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship implemented solar panels across key facilities, optimized battery systems to reduce fuel consumption by 25%, and introduced water conservation measures that prevented over 145,000 single-use plastic bottles from entering waste streams.
Tom Phillips, Head of Middle East for the DP World Tour, reflected: “The 2025 Play-Offs exemplified our comprehensive vision for regional events—merging world-class competition with record-breaking engagement while creating meaningful impact in sustainability and community development. The extraordinary response from spectators, both physically and digitally, underscores golf’s expanding influence in the Middle East. Our educational programs and Green Drive initiatives have established a robust foundation as we anticipate the 2026 season.”