Registrations are officially open for the 2026 Junior Dubai Desert Classic (JDDC), with the fourth edition set to welcome the next generation of golfers to Emirates Golf Club from January 16–18, 2026.
Delivered in partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), the 2026 tournament marks the second consecutive year with World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®) status, providing a vital stepping stone for ambitious young players chasing elite amateur recognition.
Open to boys and girls aged 18 and under with a handicap of 14.4 or lower, the JDDC offers juniors from the UAE and beyond a chance to compete in a genuine tour-style event across two of Dubai’s most iconic championship courses.
2026 Schedule
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Friday, Jan 16: Opening round under the lights on the Faldo Course
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Saturday, Jan 17: Afternoon shotgun start on the Faldo Course, followed by a cut to the top 30 players (and ties)
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Sunday, Jan 18: Final round on the Majlis Course – just days before the world’s best, including record four-time winner Rory McIlroy and defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, arrive for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the same layout
Following Louis Klein’s impressive 2025 victory – with rounds of 69, 63 and 69 – the JDDC continues to expand its international footprint, with entries expected from India, Thailand, Europe, Argentina, the GCC, and, for the first time, Canada.
Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said:
“The Junior Dubai Desert Classic is about opportunity – giving boys and girls 18 and under a true pathway event with WAGR® points, a world-class setting, and a field that grows more international each year. We’re committed to keeping it aspirational and accessible, welcoming rising players from the UAE and overseas – including first-time entrants from Canada – to compete on a genuine stage. With meaningful prizes and invitations that help juniors progress, the JDDC continues to be the region’s benchmark for elite youth competition.”
Prizes include invitations to the Faldo Series Grand Final, Shubhankar Series Grand Final, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic Driving Range Experience, and Clutch Tour starts, thanks to support from the Emirates Golf Federation.
