DP World Tour and WWE Continue Middle East Events Amid Regional Tensions

The DP World Tour confirmed that the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship will start Thursday despite ongoing security concerns linked to the U.S.–Iran conflict. A tour spokesperson said, >We have plans in place for every aspect of every tournament on the DP World Tour and that is the case again this week.< The event, which caps the 2026 season’s playoff series, offers a $9 million purse and will feature the leading 70 players from the Race to Dubai Rankings, though 11 qualified golfers have chosen not to travel.

Top-ranked players such as Matt Fitzpatrick, Robert MacIntyre, Shane Lowry and others cited safety worries as reasons for skipping the Abu Dhabi round. Their absence affects qualification for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, scheduled for 12-15 November. The tour added that preparations for the Dubai tournament remain on schedule.

Security protocols at Yas Links include a contingency plan to halt play and evacuate the course if UAE authorities issue a mobile-phone alert, according to signage posted for participants.

UAE diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash told the Manama Dialogue conference that the country is prepared for the worst while seeking a diplomatic breakthrough, saying, >We’re hoping that we will see a breakthrough because it is not in the interests of the region to go through another round … of confrontation.<

In Saudi Arabia, WWE’s Crown Jewel will be held on Saturday at The Venue at ANB Arena, a smaller 8,000-seat arena that replaced the originally planned 30,000-seat stadium. Organisers said the venue change was driven by security considerations and that ticket holders will receive refunds with a limited number of new tickets offered.

The change follows a successful boxing match in Riyadh earlier in the month, where Canelo Álvarez retained his WBC super-middleweight title. Saudi official Turki Alalshikh noted that Álvarez had pledged to fight in Riyadh regardless of circumstances.