The Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, the opening event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs, will be held from November 5 to 8 at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi. Seventy eligible players will compete for position in the Race to Dubai standings, with only the top 50 advancing to the season finale, the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

The field includes major names such as Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, alongside defending champion Aaron Rai, who returns to defend his title. The tournament will also carry extra weight in the race for the Harry Vardon Trophy, as all five players currently at the top of that standings table are entered.

Championship director Martina Natali described the new format's stakes, saying: "The new format means every shot at Yas Links carries real consequences," referring to a structure that heightens pressure on players throughout each round.

Spectators can attend for free on Thursday and Friday, with children aged 17 and under admitted free of charge every day of the tournament. The weekend will feature a dedicated Family Weekend programme, including a Kids' Zone and additional entertainment. Organisers say the championship has introduced more than 10,000 young people across the UAE to golf through its community outreach programmes.