Bahrain Builds Momentum Ahead of 2026 Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship
by: BTM - Fri, 16 Jan 2026
Momentum continues to build for the third edition of the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, following a press conference held on January 14 at the Royal Golf Club. The briefing brought together key stakeholders to outline plans for the upcoming championship, staged in partnership with the DP World Tour. The press conference was also attended by His Highness Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, underscoring the championship’s national sporting significance.
Addressing attendees, Tom Phillips, Director of Middle East at the DP World Tour, said he was “thrilled to bring that momentum into the next year,” highlighting the importance of sustained partnerships in driving the tournament forward. “The support of this event is crucial to our growth,” he added.
Now in its third year of title partnership, Bapco Energies reaffirmed its commitment to the championship through a range of energy and sustainability initiatives, aligned with its wider environmental priorities.
Sustainability and Sports Tourism
Speaking at the press conference, Her Excellency Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Bahrain’s Minister of Tourism, highlighted the role of major sporting events in shaping Bahrain’s global positioning and strengthening sports tourism.
She emphasised that sustainability efforts associated with the championship are designed to go beyond standard targets, noting that Bapco Energies is set to declare the tournament carbon neutral, marking a significant milestone for international sporting events hosted in the Kingdom.
From a tourism perspective, Her Excellency noted ambitions to increase visiting nationalities by 15%, a trend already reflected across Bahrain’s hospitality sector, underscoring the wider economic impact of the championship.
Growing Local Participation and Spectators
From a sporting development standpoint, Captain Waleed Al Alawi, senior official at the Royal Golf Club, stressed that increasing local player participation is key to encouraging stronger local spectator engagement.
While football and basketball continue to attract the largest audiences in the Kingdom, he explained that seeing Bahraini golfers competing at championship level plays an important role in drawing local spectators to the sport. To support this objective, a grassroots golf initiative is expected to launch in the near future, aimed at developing young local talent and building a sustainable pathway to competitive golf.
Course Enhancements and Royal Patronage
Captain Waleed also outlined further upgrades at the Royal Golf Club, including improvements to course quality, grass standards and spectator viewing angles, ensuring the venue continues to meet international standards. A notable change this year includes the addition of 50 yards, presenting a more demanding and exciting challenge for players.
The championship is held under the patronage of His Majesty Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, whose support continues to elevate the tournament’s stature. Attendance last year by His Highness Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, underscored the event’s national significance. Organisers also acknowledged the continued involvement of His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, whose commitment to sport has contributed to a growing interest in golf across the Kingdom.
The upcoming championship will feature around 122 players from approximately 25 countries, reinforcing Bahrain’s growing appeal as an international sporting destination. With strengthened sustainability commitments and a renewed focus on developing local talent, the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship continues to evolve as a cornerstone of Bahrain’s international sports calendar.
Tags #kingdom of bahrain sports #bahrain golf news #bahrain sustainability sports event #international golf tournament bahrain #bahrain sports tourism #ROYAL GOLF CLUB BAHRAIN #dp world tour bahrain #bahrain golf championship #bapco energies bahrain championship
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