The Hero Dubai Desert Classic, in collaboration with Deloitte, is excited to unveil the Green Incubator Challenge, a global initiative designed to foster innovative, sustainable solutions for events.
This initiative invites participants to submit their ideas, with the opportunity for the winning submission to be implemented at the 2027 DP World Tour and Rolex Series tournament.
The Green Incubator Challenge aims to stimulate significant progress and promote innovation in sustainability within the sports and entertainment sectors.
It is inclusive and open to a diverse range of participants, including entrepreneurs, startups, students, and companies from around the globe.
Submissions can comprise both novel concepts and ready-to-deploy solutions focused on enhancing environmental sustainability in the events industry—an essential response to the pressing challenges of climate change.
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is proud to be a pioneer, having achieved GEO Certified® Tournament status for 3 consecutive years.
It is the first golf event in the Middle East and within the DP World Tour Rolex Series to attain this recognition.
What makes innovations effective?
Some common traits in the ones that are particularly powerful:
- Integration: they often tie together multiple systems (energy, water, waste, food, transport) rather than a single “green measure.”
- Design from the start: building or renovating with sustainability in mind is much more effective than trying to retrofit.
- Local & circular sourcing: using waste materials, local producers, or invasive species.
- Engagement & visibility: when fans, staff, and sponsors see the sustainability in action, it helps behavior change and builds legitimacy.
- Measurable & transparent: tracking KPIs (waste diverted, emissions reduced, energy produced, etc.), often certified (LEED, TRUE, etc.), so claims are verifiable.
The launch of the Green Incubator Challenge positions the Hero Dubai Desert Classic as the first global golf event to crowdsource sustainable event solutions, solidifying its role as a leader in sustainable sport and entertainment.
This platform empowers innovators worldwide to present their solutions on an international stage, with the potential for their ideas to be implemented in future events in Dubai.
Winning teams will benefit from professional support from the tournament and from Deloitte, which serves as the strategic Knowledge Partner for the event.
Throughout the Challenge, Deloitte will offer expert guidance, mentoring, and evaluation, ensuring that the ideas generated are both visionary and practical, paving the way for scalable solutions.
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.