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A cricket ground under floodlight towers at sunset, with squads in whites at practice

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Cricket in the UAE and the Middle East

Cricket in the UAE is a passion shared by millions, and the Emirates are home to the sport's world governing body, floodlit stadiums and the fast-growing ILT20 league. Add the Abu Dhabi T10 and cricket's rise in Oman and Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf has become one of cricket's great winter destinations.

Updated

At a glance

Cricket at a glance

Governing body
ICC, headquartered in Dubai
Top league
ILT20, the UAE's franchise T20 league
Main grounds
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah
World record
Sharjah: most one-day internationals at one venue
Season
November to February

Why the Gulf loves cricket

Cricket arrived in the Gulf with the millions of South Asian residents who helped build its cities, and it has become part of the region's identity. On any Friday, games are played on parking lots, beaches and immaculate floodlit grounds, and big international matches fill stadiums with some of the loudest crowds in the sport.

The UAE sits at the center of it. The International Cricket Council moved its headquarters to Dubai in 2005, and the Emirates have hosted the Asia Cup, an ICC Men's T20 World Cup with Oman, and full seasons of the Indian Premier League. Sharjah's stadium has hosted more one-day internationals than any other ground on earth.

Today the ILT20 brings international stars to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah each winter, and the Abu Dhabi T10 has popularized a fast, 90-minute format. A match night is easy to fit around Dubai's luxury hotels or Abu Dhabi's finest stays, and our Sport hub has the rest of the season.

The pitch and curved white canopy of the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai Sports City.
Photo: Dave Morton · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Leagues, grounds and landmarks

The essential places and competitions for cricket fans in the region.

League

ILT20 (International League T20)

Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, UAE

The UAE's franchise T20 league, launched in 2023, with six teams and many of the world's leading players. Matches run through the winter and are a great night out.

Official site ↗
League

Abu Dhabi T10

Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE

A 10-overs-a-side tournament that brings famous names to Abu Dhabi for fast, high-scoring games of about 90 minutes. Usually held in late autumn.

Stadium

Dubai International Stadium

Dubai Sports City, UAE

The UAE's showpiece cricket ground, opened in 2009, with a distinctive 'ring of fire' lighting system around the roof. It hosts finals of the biggest tournaments held in the region.

Landmark

ICC Headquarters and ICC Academy

Dubai Sports City, UAE

The global home of cricket, next to a world-class academy with grass and indoor practice facilities. Visiting teams and serious amateurs can book training here.

Official site ↗
Stadium

Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Sharjah, UAE

The ground holds the world record for the most one-day internationals hosted at a single venue, a history going back to the 1980s. Intimate and atmospheric, close to Sharjah's museums.

Stadium

Zayed Cricket Stadium

Abu Dhabi, UAE

A large, open bowl in the capital that hosts Test, one-day and T20 cricket as well as the Abu Dhabi T10. Wide boundaries and spectacular sunsets.

Ground

Tolerance Oval

Abu Dhabi, UAE

A picturesque grass-banked ground beside Zayed Cricket Stadium, used for international and associate cricket. Lovely for a relaxed day watching from the hill.

To be confirmedTournament

Asia Cup

UAE (recent editions)

Asia's flagship international tournament has been held in the UAE many times, most recently in 2025. It brings together India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and others.

Stadium

Al Amerat Cricket Ground

Muscat, Oman

Oman's international ground, set among rocky hills outside Muscat, hosted matches of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2021. Oman's national team has risen quickly on the world stage.

Growing nation

Cricket in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation is an ICC Associate Member and is building the game nationwide. Jeddah hosted the IPL player auction in 2024, a sign of growing ambition.

Where to watch

VenueCityKnown for
Dubai International StadiumDubaiBig finals, ILT20
Sharjah Cricket StadiumSharjahMost ODIs of any ground
Zayed Cricket StadiumAbu DhabiAbu Dhabi T10, internationals
Tolerance OvalAbu DhabiGrass-bank viewing
Al Amerat Cricket GroundMuscatOman internationals

Planning a cricket trip

The season runs from roughly November to February, when evening temperatures are perfect. Buy tickets through each tournament's official channels, and book early for any match involving India or Pakistan. Between games, see the region's golf courses, desert experiences and the Events Calendar.

Questions travelers ask

When is the ILT20 played?

Over the winter, usually from December into January or February. Check the official ILT20 site for the current season's fixtures.

Why is the ICC based in Dubai?

The ICC moved its headquarters from London to Dubai in 2005, drawn by the city's location between cricket's major markets, its connectivity and its facilities.

Is it easy to get tickets for cricket in the UAE?

League matches are usually easy to attend, with affordable seats. Big international fixtures, especially India versus Pakistan, sell out quickly, so buy as soon as sales open.

Can visitors play or train in the UAE?

Yes. The ICC Academy in Dubai offers nets, coaching and ground hire, and many hotels can arrange sessions.

Ultra-Luxury Real Estate · Own Here

Own a home in the UAE

The places you discover as a guest are the places to own. Freehold for foreign buyers in designated areas, with a golden visa route from AED 2 million.

Ultra-Luxury Tourism & Ultra-Luxury Real Estate

Dubai Luxury Real EstateWho can buy, the best areas, fees and how to buy.Abu Dhabi Luxury Real EstateThe Founding Partner Agencies and Developers for Abu Dhabi.Dubai’s Founding PartnersThe Founding Partner Agencies and Developers for Dubai.Sharjah Luxury Real EstateThe Founding Partner Agencies and Developers for Sharjah.Can Foreigners Buy Property?The rules in all fourteen countries.

Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.