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.
More information can be found on the Hero Dubai Desert Classic website. To sign up for the Green Incubator Challenge, please visit: https://dubaidesertclassic.com/green-incubator-challenge
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 37th edition of the event will take place in January 2026 in Dubai.
To learn more about the tournament, visit www.dubaidesertclassic.com and follow Hero Dubai Desert Classic on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, (@dubaidcgolf), or download the new app (Desert Classic) for all the latest event information.
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 www.deloitte.com.
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.
