Hero Dubai Desert Classic Launches Global Sustainability Challenge

(MENAFN- Mid-East Info) Dubai, UAE: The Hero Dubai Desert Classic HDDC, in partnership with Deloitte, has today announced the launch of the Green Incubator Challenge, a global initiative inviting participants to submit innovative sustainable solutions for events, with the winner to implement their idea at the 2027 DP World Tour and Rolex Series tournament.

Aiming to drive meaningful change and accelerate innovation in sustainability across sport and entertainment industries, the Green Incubator Challenge is open to entrepreneurs, start-ups, students and companies around the world. Submissions can include both new concepts and ready-to-deploy solutions that enhance environmental sustainability within the events sector to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change.

The Hero Dubai Desert Classic (HDDC) has become the first golf event in the Middle East and first within the DP World Tour Rolex Series to achieve GEO Certified® Tournament status for three consecutive years, and now the first golf event globally to launch an international challenge to crowdsource sustainable event solutions, reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable sport and entertainment. By offering this platform, the HDDC enables innovators worldwide to showcase their solutions on an international stage, with potential for rollout across future events in Dubai.

Winning teams will receive professional support from the tournament and Deloitte, who will support as the event's strategic Knowledge Partner. Recognised as a leader in sustainability and climate change consulting, Deloitte works with governments, businesses, and communities to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future. Throughout the Challenge, Deloitte will provide expert guidance, mentoring and evaluation, ensuring ideas are not only visionary but also feasible and scalable.

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said:“We're incredibly proud to introduce the Green Incubator Challenge as golf's first-of-its-kind initiative, driving sustainable innovation across sport and entertainment. Through this Challenge, we aim to identify bold, visionary ideas that will shape the future of sustainable events globally.”

Daniel Gribbin, Sustainability Leader at Deloitte Middle East, said:“At Deloitte, we are committed to partnering in initiatives that drive sustainable innovation and create tangible environmental impact. The Green Incubator Challenge exemplifies how collaboration between sports and entertainment industry leaders and innovators can accelerate the transition to greener events. We are proud to support as the Knowledge Partner to help the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and wider events in the industry in advancing this vital agenda and look forward to nurturing the groundbreaking solutions that will emerge from this challenge.”

Maria Grandinetti-Milton, Director of Sustainability at the DP World Tour, added:“As part of our Green Drive programme and commitment to be net zero carbon by 2040, we're always encouraging our tournaments and promoters to embrace sustainability innovation. The Hero Dubai Desert Classic has always been at the forefront of this, and the new Green Incubator Challenge is another example of their leadership in sustainability. I can't wait to see the ideas and innovations that spring from the Challenge in the months ahead.”

A shortlist of submissions will be announced on 18 November 2025, with three finalists revealed on 19 December 2025. Finalists will present their solutions to a panel of expert judges the week of the 2026 tournament.

About Hero Dubai Desert Classic:

The Dubai Desert Classic was founded in 1989 as the first DP World Tour event to take place in the Gulf, and the first and only GEO-certified golf event in the Middle East, highlighting the event's continued dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainable golf events. Regarded as one of the most significant events on the DP World Tour, and part of the prestigious Rolex Series, it has been credited with paving the way for golf's presence in the Middle East, as well as creating some of the most iconic moments in golfing history.

Promoted and organised by Falcon and Associates, the tournament played on the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club, is fondly referred to as the 'Major of the Middle East', due to its legacy and world-class players drawn to the tournament every year.

The tournament is supported by title sponsor, Hero MotoCorp, and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), a founding partner of the Dubai Desert Classic. The 37^th edition of the event will take place in January 2026 in Dubai.

About Deloitte:

Deloitte provides Audit & Assurance, Tax & Legal and Consulting and related services to nearly 90% of the Fortune Global 500® and thousands of private companies. Our professionals deliver measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in capital markets, enable clients to transform and thrive, and lead the way toward a stronger economy, a more equitable society and a sustainable world. Building on its 175-plus year history, Deloitte spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte's approximately 457,000 people worldwide make an impact that matters at

About Hero MotoCorp:

Hero MotoCorp, headquartered in New Delhi, India, is the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters for 24 consecutive years, with a global footprint spanning 48 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America and a customer base of over 125 million. VIDA, powered by Hero, is the company's dedicated electric mobility arm, driving innovation and sustainability. Hero MotoCorp has collaborations with Harley-Davidson and Zero Motorcycles and strategic investments in Ather Energy and Euler Motors. The company operates eight manufacturing facilities – six in India and one each in Colombia and Bangladesh – along with two Research and Development centres: Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in India and Tech Centre Germany (TCG) near Munich. Hero MotoCorp is the only Indian two-wheeler manufacturer listed on the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). Beyond mobility, Hero MotoCorp is a leading global corporate promoter of multiple sports including golf, football, field hockey, and cricket. Hero MotoSports Team Rally is India's flag bearer in global rally racing, while legendary golfer Tiger Woods is the company's Global Corporate Partner.

About the DP World Tour:

The DP World Tour is the main men's professional golf tour of the European Tour group.

As golf's global tour, we showcase global talent in global destinations and use our platform to build, entertain and connect our global community.

GLOBAL TALENT: We provide pathways and a platform for the leading international talent, bringing together golfing icons, national heroes and emerging stars from around the world.

GLOBAL DESTINATIONS: We stage tournaments in iconic cities and locations around the world and each week we celebrate and showcase the rich diversity of the courses, cities and cultures we visit.

GLOBAL COMMUNITY: We build, entertain and connect communities through our commitment to innovation, creative content and having a positive social and environmental impact.

Our 2025 Global Schedule features 42 tournaments in 26 different countries and comprises three distinct phases: five 'Global Swings', the 'Back 9' and the 'DP World Tour Play-Offs'. It features five Rolex Series events – the premium category of events on the DP World Tour – and four Major Championships, all of which count towards the Race to Dubai Rankings, the Tour's season-long competition which concludes at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

DP World, the leading provider of global smart end-to-end supply chain and logistics solutions, has been the title partner of the DP World Tour since the start of the 2022 season, the Tour's 50th season following its formation in 1972.

We also enjoy the support of many of the world's leading business brands with DP World, Rolex, Aldar, BMW, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Emirates, Fortinet, Nexo and Vestas as Official Partners.

About the Rolex Series:

The Rolex Series is the premium category of events on the DP World Tour, comprising five tournaments in 2025, staged in a variety of world-class golfing locations around the globe, each with a minimum prize fund of US$9 million.

Showcasing innovation, enriched media, content and broadcast coverage, and a superior event experience for both fans and for the world's top players, the list of Rolex Series Champions includes some of golf's most distinguished names.

The Rolex Series was launched in 2017, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Rolex's enduring partnership with the European Tour group.

In 2025, the Rolex Series comprises; the Hero Dubai Desert Classic (January 16-19), the Genesis Scottish Open (July 10-13) the BMW PGA Championship (September 11-14), the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (November 6-9) and the DP World Tour Championship (November 13-16). The latter two events comprise the DP World Tour Play-Offs and feature the leading 70 and 50 players from the Race to Dubai respectively.

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