When founded in 2006, it was one of three European Tour events to be staged in the Arabian Peninsula, but at one point was one of six.

In 2019 it was elevated to be one of eight tournaments which are part of the Rolex Series, which identifies it as one of the European Tour's premier events.

As a Rolex series event, the prize fund increased to US$7,000,000.

[2] With the support of sponsor HSBC and the local organiser, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, it has historically had one of the strongest fields on the European Tour due to "promotional" money paid to top golfers.

From 2006 to 2021 the tournament had been hosted at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.