Where can you play cricket in Dubai?

Cricket in the United Arab Emirates – an introduction

At the beginning of the year, the American news agency Bloomberg published a report entitled ‘How did the United Arab Emirates become the world centre of cricket?’. For most readers, this title may have come as a surprise, as this sport has never been associated with the UAE on the international stage. And yet, today, the Emirates, and Dubai in particular, are a rapidly growing centre for world cricket. Where does this come from? It is the national sport of India and Pakistan, which make up the vast majority of the UAE's population. The expat community brought this team sport with them and made the local community fall in love with cricket. In 2005, the ICC (International Cricket Council) moved its headquarters from London to Dubai, making the UAE a global centre for the management of the sport. And finally, the weather: Dubai and other places in the United Arab Emirates have ideal conditions for playing cricket all year round. It is a friendly and easy game, which can be played in a park, between buildings, or even on a larger piece of concrete in the desert.

Emirates Airlines has become heavily involved in promoting the sport and connects all the world's major cricket centres with Dubai. That is why more and more prestigious tournaments are being held in this city, which owes its popularity to its central location, large fan base and excellent sports infrastructure. Cricket is one of the most popular sports among the city's residents, but recently another popular activity has joined it: padel. This combination of tennis and squash into an enjoyable, social racket game has made padel a success in many places around the world. If you would like to try your hand at padel, discover the best places to play padel in Dubai.

Where can you play cricket in Dubai?

If you are wondering where to play cricket in Dubai, I am happy to answer. There are plenty of places to play cricket in the city. Cricket pitches in Dubai vary in terms of modernity, number of seats in the stands, quality of changing rooms, surface, location and, above all, purpose: some pitches are designed for professional tournaments or private hire, while others are only for training or private use. Where is the main cricket stadium in Dubai? Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the largest cricket arena in the city, is located in the Dubai Sports City area, the largest organised sports complex in Dubai. It is the most professional cricket stadium in Dubai, used mainly for international tournaments, the national league and guest matches. The Dubai Sports City complex also has smaller outdoor and indoor stadiums, ideal for training or renting for matches with friends. This place is particularly famous for its indoor infrastructure, equipped with safety nets and training nets, allowing you to play without worrying about the weather conditions all year round. Amateur cricket in Dubai can also be played at venues such as Insportz Club, The Sevens Stadium, Cover Drive, United Pro Sports, Springs Sport Academy and Inzports Club.

Cricket tournaments in Dubai

Cricket has already won the hearts of thousands of sports fans across Dubai, but that doesn't stop this sport from winning over more and more people. That is why, in 1936, the United Arab Emirates established the Emirates Cricket Board, which manages professional cricket in the country. Currently, the ECB represents three official national teams on the international stage: the UAE men's senior and U19 cricket teams and the UAE women's cricket team. Is there such a thing as a cricket league in the Emirates? Yes, although it is a fairly recent development. The United Arab Emirates has its own T20 cricket league, known as the DP World ILT20. It was established in 2021, but its official debut took place in January and February 2023. Which teams play cricket in Dubai? The following cricket clubs from Dubai and other UAE emirates entered the first seasons: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz.

Dubai also hosts prestigious international cricket competitions. For example, Dubai hosted several matches of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and the most important event, the 2021 Men's T20 World Cup, where Australia defeated New Zealand. Where are cricket tournaments held in Dubai? Official cricket matches in Dubai are held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. In addition to cricket tournaments, Dubai also hosts other interesting competitions that true sports fans cannot miss. Check out what tournaments are taking place in Dubai and plan your holiday with sporting excitement.

Amateur cricket in Dubai

Are there any amateur cricket clubs in Dubai? Yes, team sports are very popular in Dubai, so cricket is also available for amateur training. You can take private cricket lessons in Dubai or join a cricket club. Cricket training is a great form of entertainment and a very addictive sporting activity. It is very easy to become passionate about this sport. Cricket in Dubai is available for expats and locals to train at places such as: ICC Academy, G Force Cricket Academy, Rajasthan Royals UAE Academy, BeSpartan, Young Talents Academy, Kooh Dubai, Desert Cubs Cricket Academy, Little Masters Cricket Academy and Max Talent Global Sports.

These are the most recommended places to train cricket by experts. However, if you already know how to play and want to play a match with your friends or the local community, you can do it differently. Can you hire a cricket pitch in Dubai? Yes, you can hire a cricket pitch in Dubai, and the rates are not excessive, ranging from around AED 50 per hour for a practice net to around AED 400-650 per hour for a full pitch. This begs the question: is cricket in Dubai a professional or recreational sport? For most residents, it is still more of a recreational sport, but they take it very seriously and put their whole heart into it.

Sports attractions in Dubai

Recreation in Dubai is a great idea for an active holiday. Residents and tourists will find sports fields and open-air areas in the city where they can play sports such as football, basketball, tennis, padel, or go jogging, do yoga or run. You can also take advantage of the sporting attractions in Dubai, which include skiing on an artificial slope in a shopping centre, entertainment in water parks and jet skiing near Dubai's most famous hotel.

A successful holiday is an active holiday. By booking accommodation in Dubai at Dubai Marina in private apartments from Two Continents, you will have access to a gym and indoor and outdoor swimming pools in the building, allowing you to stay in top shape even while on holiday. You can also book accommodation as part of a trip to Dubai, where you will receive accommodation, a package of attractions, travel insurance and tour guide assistance throughout your trip as part of a promotional package.

Questions and answers (FAQ):

• How popular is cricket in the United Arab Emirates?

Cricket is very popular in the United Arab Emirates, mainly among communities from India and Pakistan, as well as among expats from Australia, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean. The city has also become an important centre for cricket in the world after the International Cricket Council moved its headquarters to Dubai in 2005 and prestigious international tournaments began to be held at local stadiums.

• When are cricket matches held in Dubai?

Cricket matches in Dubai take place throughout the year, and the schedule of matches can be found on the official cricket tournament websites, such as espncricinfo.com or cricbuzz.com. Regardless of the official schedule, unofficial amateur cricket matches are held in the city, often in parks or local playing fields.

• Can tourists play cricket in Dubai?

Yes, tourists can play cricket in Dubai by joining recreational leagues, renting pitches at facilities such as Dubai Sports World, or participating in informal matches with locals. To play in a more organised manner, you can join a recreational league through organisations such as Duplays or play in tournaments, while playing at a more professional or national level requires a specific place of residence and registration with the Emirates Cricket Board.