Dubai, Nov 11 (NationPress) The DP World India Championships are set to return in 2026. This announcement was made official on Tuesday as the Tour renewed its long-standing partnership with DP World. This collaboration previously showcased World No. 2 Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, who emerged as the winner, during their visit to India last month.

Building on the overwhelming success and enthusiasm that attracted some of the largest golf audiences in India, the DP World India Championship is returning with aspirations to become a permanent feature on the Tour calendar.

McIlroy, for whom the Tour has created a new accolade called the ‘Rory McIlroy Award’—to honor the top-performing member of the DP World Tour across the four Major Championships—expressed his fondness for the India Championship. “I had a fantastic experience in India. I can't pinpoint just one memorable moment. I suppose I’ll always remember not using my driver for four days. However, the hospitality, warmth, and generosity of the people were absolutely remarkable,” he reflected.

When discussing the week’s highlights, he mentioned, “The Diwali party on Friday night and the opportunity to spend time with Sachin Tendulkar stood out as significant moments.”

Yuvraj Narayan, Group Deputy CEO & Chief Financial Officer of DP World, was visibly thrilled with the success of the DP World India Championship, which drew record crowds to the Delhi Golf Club for the $4 million event—marking it as the richest golf tournament in India.

“New events like the recent DP World India Championship demonstrate our commitment to the game's growth and accessibility over the long term. Our partnership with the DP World Tour illustrates how sports can bridge markets and communities, similar to our role in global trade. This long-term investment highlights our confidence in the Tour's future and our dedication to making golf more inclusive and sustainable,” he added.

McIlroy shared his passion for travel: “I enjoy exploring different parts of the world and experiencing diverse cultures.”

The Grand Slam champion remarked, “As I grow older and hopefully become more well-rounded, I find myself cherishing these experiences more. It’s wonderful to introduce my daughter, Poppy, to various countries, showing her different cultures and teaching her the importance of being open and understanding towards others.”

To enhance accessibility and inclusiveness in golf worldwide, DP World’s ‘Second Life’ initiative and global ‘Clubhouse programme’ utilize smart logistics to convert shipping containers into training facilities, inspiring the next generation of golfers and ensuring a lasting impact on communities.

Under the new agreement, which marks the largest in the Tour’s history, DP World will maintain its role as Title Partner and Official Logistics Partner until 2035.

The DP World Tour, recognized as the only truly global Tour, featured 42 tournaments across 26 countries this season with record prize funds and a growing fan base, making golf more global, inclusive, and interconnected than ever before.

“The first phase of our landmark Title Partner relationship has focused on increasing global awareness of the DP World brand and developing a robust pipeline for new business in their sector-leading services. This has been tremendously successful over the past four years,” stated Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive Officer of the DP World Tour.

DP World will also continue as Title Partner of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai until 2035, which is the season-ending Rolex Series event where the Race to Dubai Champion is crowned. Furthermore, DP World will become an Official Partner to an additional 15 tournaments each season, enhancing fan engagement and community involvement across key markets.