AD
The HotelPlanner Tour has unveiled its 2026 schedule, setting the stage for another highly competitive season on the Road to Mallorca.
Spanning 28 tournaments across 19 countries and three continents, the Tour will once again offer a total prize fund of €9 million, matching last year’s figure and underlining its growing status as one of golf’s most important global pathways.
The 2026 season also marks the second year of a multi year title partnership with technology company HotelPlanner, as the European Tour group continues to strengthen the Tour’s profile and long term stability.
UAE returns as a key stop
The UAE will once again host two consecutive events in April, reinforcing its central role in the HotelPlanner Tour’s global calendar. The Abu Dhabi Challenge will take place at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club from 16 to 19 April, 2026, followed immediately by the RAKBANK UAE Challenge at Al Zorah Golf and Yacht Club from 23 to 26 April, 2026.
Both tournaments are staged as part of the European Tour group’s long standing partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation, EGF, and will see their prize funds increase by €50,000 to €350,000 each for 2026, a significant boost for players chasing promotion.
Recent history highlights the strength of these UAE events. In 2025, Italy’s Renato Paratore claimed victory in both tournaments, going on to finish fourth in the season long Road to Mallorca Rankings and earning promotion to the DP World Tour after securing three wins.
Meanwhile, the 2024 UAE Challenge, staged at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, was won by Rasmus Neergaard Petersen, Denmark, who has since progressed to gain dual card status on the PGA Tour, a powerful example of the Tour’s proven pathway to the game’s highest levels.
Local and regional interest will again be heightened by the allocation of professional and amateur invitations, continuing the HotelPlanner Tour’s commitment to opportunity and development.
Expanding global footprint
The 2026 schedule will see the Tour return to England for the first time since 2023, with the England Golf Challenge supported by HotelPlanner taking place at The Vale Golf Club in June, followed by the English Challenge at The Caversham in September.
A historic milestone will also be reached as Estonia becomes the 52nd country to host a HotelPlanner Tour event since the Tour’s inception in 1989. The Infortar Estonian Challenge will be held at Estonian Golf and Country Club near Tallinn in July, marking the first new nation added to the schedule since 2020.
The season will once again begin in South Africa for the sixth consecutive year, opening with the SDC Open at Zebula Golf Estate and Spa, the first of four co sanctioned events with the Sunshine Tour.
Following the UAE swing, the Road to Mallorca heads to Europe in May, beginning with the Italian Challenge Open and launching a demanding run of 19 tournaments in 20 weeks across 16 European countries.
Several familiar favourites return, including the Blot Open de Bretagne, hosted for the 19th time at Golf Bluegreen de Pléneuf Val André, and the Vierumäki Finnish Challenge, which makes its tenth appearance. New venues also feature prominently, with Isla Canela Links, PGA Aroeira 1 in Lisbon, and a venue switch in Spain adding fresh challenges to the calendar.
All roads lead to Mallorca
The Tour returns to China in October for back to back events, the Hainan Open and the Hangzhou Open, offering players one final chance to secure their place in the season ending finale.
The Rolex Grand Final, supported by The R and A, will once again be staged at Club de Golf Alcanada in Mallorca from 29 October to 1 November, where the leading players on the Rankings will battle for 15 life changing DP World Tour cards, reduced from 20 in 2025.
Graduates will also benefit from the DP World Tour’s Earnings Assurance Programme, guaranteeing $150,000 in minimum earnings for the 2027 season, while the top five will receive support through the John Jacobs Bursary, providing a vital platform for success on golf’s global stage.
Jamie Hodges, HotelPlanner Tour Director, said, “It is a proud moment to unveil our schedule for the 2026 Road to Mallorca. I would like to thank all of our promoters, national Federations, tournament sponsors, host venues, and partner Tours for their commitment to the HotelPlanner Tour. Without their support, the schedule for 2026 wouldn’t be possible.”
Godolphin's Global Racing Saga: Triumph in America, Heartbreak at Epsom
The racing world witnessed a tale of two continents this weekend as Godolphin, the Dubai-based racing empire, experienced both jubilation and frustration in a dramatic 24-hour period that highlighted the thrilling unpredictability of thoroughbred competition. While their American superstar Sovereignty cemented his legacy with a breathtaking Belmont Stakes victory at Saratoga, across the Atlantic their European champion Ruling Court faced last-minute heartbreak when withdrawn from the Epsom Derby
Farida P Triumphs in Thrilling UAE President's Cup Victory at Stockholm Racecourse
In a breathtaking display of speed and endurance, the magnificent Arabian mare Farida P claimed a stunning victory at the prestigious UAE President's Cup for Purebred Arabian Horses, held at Gardet Turf Racecourse in Stockholm on June 6th. The event, perfectly timed with Sweden's vibrant National Day festivities, drew an enthusiastic crowd exceeding 50,000 spectators who witnessed equestrian excellence at its finest. The race unfolded with heart-stopping drama as Farida P executed a masterful c
J.J. Spaun's Miraculous Putt Secures Dramatic US Open Victory at Rain-Soaked Oakmont
In a finish that will be remembered for generations, J.J. Spaun conjured magic on Oakmont's treacherous 18th green, sinking an astonishing 64-and-a-half foot birdie putt to claim his maiden major championship at the rain-delayed US Open on Sunday. The 34-year-old American completed his fairytale victory with back-to-back birdies to close out a gutsy final-round 72 (+2), finishing the tournament at 1-under-par 279 - two strokes clear of Scotland's fast-charging Robert MacIntyre (68). Spaun, who
Golf's Grandest Week: U.S. Open Glory, Rising Stars & Global Drama Unfold
The world of golf ignites this week with an electrifying lineup of tournaments that will captivate fans across continents. From the hallowed fairways of Oakmont to the emerging talents in Europe, seven days of unforgettable action await. Whether you crave the pressure-cooker intensity of major championship golf or prefer discovering future champions, this week delivers it all - wrapped in drama, tradition and breathtaking competition. The Ultimate Golfing Gauntlet: U.S. Open Returns to Oakmont
Verstappen Faces High-Stakes Showdown in Canada as Penalty Points Loom
The pressure is mounting on Max Verstappen as he heads to Montreal, where the reigning Formula One champion will attempt to make history with a fourth consecutive Canadian Grand Prix victory - but one wrong move could see him sidelined from future races. With just a single penalty point separating him from a potential race ban, the Red Bull star must navigate this weekend's event with precision. His previous three triumphs at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve include last year's dramatic win after start
10-Year-Old Karting Sensation Atiqa Mir Breaks Barriers as Youngest AKCEL GP Academy Driver
In an inspiring development for motorsports, Dubai-based Indian karting phenomenon Atiqa Mir has shattered records by becoming the youngest driver from the Middle East to earn a coveted spot in a professional racing development program. The 10-year-old speedster has officially joined the AKCEL GP Academy, marking a historic moment for diversity in motorsport and showcasing the UAE's growing reputation as a breeding ground for world-class racing talent.
Dramatic Withdrawal Paves Way for Lambourn's Stunning Epsom Derby Triumph
The 246th running of the Epsom Derby (G1) delivered an unforgettable spectacle on Saturday as pre-race drama gave way to Irish raider Lambourn's spectacular front-running victory, seizing British flat racing's crown jewel in emphatic fashion. In a morning shocker that reshaped the entire contest, Godolphin's superstar colt Ruling Court - the dominant 2000 Guineas winner and many pundits' Derby favorite - was dramatically withdrawn just hours before post time. Persistent rainfall had softened the
Golf's New Era: How LIV Golf is Reshaping the Sport Ahead of the 2026 US Open
As golf's elite prepare to battle at Oakmont for the 2026 US Open, we're witnessing a seismic shift in professional golf that began with LIV Golf's explosive debut in London four years ago. The sport stands at a crossroads, with traditional power structures being challenged like never before. The PGA Tour has been forced to respond to LIV's growing influence through bigger purses and innovative formats, yet questions remain about whether these changes go far enough. Meanwhile, LIV continues to a
Thrilling WTC Final Highlights Test Cricket's Glory – But Format Needs Urgent Overhaul
The dramatic World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa delivered a spectacular showcase of five-day cricket at its finest, yet the tournament's confusing structure has sparked widespread calls for reform among cricket's elite. In a nail-biting contest at Lord's that swung like a pendulum, South Africa clinched victory by five wickets just before lunch on day four. The match saw bowlers dominate early with 24 wickets falling in two days, before batsmen staged an epic comeba
Pogacar Dominates Criterium du Dauphine, Sets Sights on Tour de France Glory
Slovenian cycling sensation Tadej Pogacar has sent shockwaves through the peloton with a commanding victory at the 77th Criterium du Dauphine, cementing his status as the man to beat at next month's Tour de France.
Inter Milan's Mehdi Taremi Stuck in Iran Due to Airspace Closure, Set to Miss Club World Cup
Inter Milan's star forward Mehdi Taremi finds himself unable to return to his club after getting caught in travel disruptions caused by recent developments in the Middle East. According to a club insider who spoke with Reuters, the Iranian international has been unable to secure a flight out of his home country following the temporary closure of Iranian airspace. The travel restrictions came into effect after regional tensions escalated last Friday, affecting all commercial air traffic. This une
Royal Ascot 2026: UAE's Elite Stable Godolphin Poised for Historic Campaign at Racing's Crown Jewel
The hallowed turf of Royal Ascot prepares to welcome its most illustrious visitors as the 2026 edition of the world's most prestigious racing festival kicks off on June 17th. For over three centuries, this Berkshire spectacle has represented the perfect marriage of timeless tradition and elite athletic competition - and this year witnesses one of the most formidable UAE contingents ever assembled.
