It was founded in 2011 by the Dubai-based Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation.

The previous iteration of the tour was open to both professionals and amateurs.

In 2016 and 2017, the top five professionals on the Order of Merit received Sunshine Tour cards for the following season, with those 6th to 15th earning entry into the final stage of the Sunshine Tour's Q School.

[1][2] The tour was cancelled in 2018 but started again in 2019, with five events planned for February and March 2019 with a further five in October and November.

The schedule was revised in 2020 with all tournaments being played from February to April.