In recent years, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) turned into a well-known reliable site for world cricket. The UAE has proven it can deliver on big tournaments. It has done so from staging T20 World Cups as well as Asia Cups with excellence. Indian Premier League parts were also held there. This did not happen in a quick way, though. Smart planning produced it, and world-class facilities plus the country stepping in contributed.
The infrastructure of the UAE is a primary reason that it has risen in international cricket. Dubai International Stadium along with Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, also with Sharjah Cricket Stadium, offer modern facilities. These stadiums do also offer quite outstanding lighting systems with near perfect conditions for day-night matches. The UAE has a natural edge when it comes to the organizing of global events because also the International Cricket Council (ICC) headquarters is located in Dubai.
For cricket boards, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has built a reputation for being highly reliable when unexpected problems arise. For example, the UAE did step in at a time when security or political issues forced events to move. Here tournaments found a secure home like the Women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers. Here also the Champions Trophy has been held, often with just a few weeks of preparation.
The UAE’s population represents another big advantage for it. From India, from Pakistan, from Bangladesh, and from Sri Lanka, expatriates from such cricket-loving countries do comprise 60 to 70 percent of the residents of that area. Even for more lesser-known teams or even women’s matches, this means that stadiums are packed with much more passionate fans. As an instance, some of the women’s matches had over 16,000 people in attendance there. Furthermore, the finals have seen upwards of 21,000 spectators. That energy serves to help create a lively match-day experience, also the support does make it engaging.
Hosting cricket matches by the UAE includes far more than just sports. It’s also big business. International tournaments draw fans from all around the world as they increase tourism, hotel bookings, restaurants, plus the local economy. Revenue directly and indirectly from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy are estimated to generate over 45 million US dollars. The media coverage as well as global attention serve to improve the UAE’s image. The country is seen as being a modern and efficient destination for major events because of that.
Records broken 👀
— ICC (@ICC) May 21, 2025
ICC Men's #ChampionsTrophy 2025 hit viewership highs like never before 📈https://t.co/sR6MSnrGrT pic.twitter.com/pC6dQIGzFb
While the UAE continues to host big competitions, it’s also trying to make a solid cricket base locally. Clear signs of progress do exist, but still the national team is developing. Leagues such as the International League T20 (ILT20) bring in top international players so they help young Emirati cricketers to gain experience. In order to produce homegrown talent within the coming years, grassroots programs are launching in an effort to encourage cricket within schools and communities.
The most favored backup plan for Cricket didn’t come to the UAE completely by chance. Superb infrastructure coupled with fast decision-making plus a genuine passion for the game led to that status. Whether someone relocates at last-minute or organizers plan a global tournament, the UAE has shown it delivers quality work professionally. It still glitters in the global arena. Also, at home, the country plants the seeds for a cricketing future that is bright.
Also read this: How Freelancers Are Fueling the UAE’s Economy
