Saudi Arabia to Launch First Professional T20 Cricket League in October

Saudi Arabia is set to host its first professional T20 cricket league later this year, marking a major step in the Kingdom’s efforts to expand its sporting profile and develop cricket across the region.

The six-team Dunes T20 League is scheduled to begin in the second week of October and is expected to feature international cricket stars alongside emerging regional talent. Organisers say the competition aims to establish Saudi Arabia as a new destination for global cricket while creating opportunities for local players and attracting worldwide audiences.

The tournament will be operated by South Asian Network Limited after the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation awarded the company rights in October 2025 to launch and manage the Kingdom’s first professional T20 competition.

The league is being organised in partnership with Unique Sports Group and Prolithic Talent Agency, a firm mentored by former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh.

Singh has been named league ambassador and is expected to play a key role in promoting the tournament internationally. Organisers believe his involvement will help attract established players and strengthen the competition’s global appeal.

Speaking about the project, Singh said the league represented an exciting opportunity to grow cricket in a new market and inspire young players in the region.

He said the tournament would bring together experienced international figures and rising talent while offering fans an authentic cricket experience. Singh added that he hoped the competition would leave a lasting impact on the sport across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.

Preparations for the October launch are already under way, with organisers planning to combine top-level cricket with entertainment and fan engagement initiatives aimed at attracting local and international audiences.

A spokesperson for South Asian Network Limited described the partnership as a significant moment for cricket development in Saudi Arabia. The company said it aimed to create a tournament capable of drawing international talent while delivering long-term sporting and commercial benefits.

The launch of the Dunes T20 League reflects Saudi Arabia’s wider investment in international sport as part of efforts to diversify its economy and expand tourism and entertainment industries under Vision 2030.

Cricket has grown steadily in popularity across the Gulf in recent years, driven largely by expatriate communities from South Asia. Regional officials and organisers now hope the sport can build a broader local following through professional competitions and youth development programmes.

The new league is expected to place Saudi Arabia more firmly on the global cricket calendar alongside established T20 competitions in India, the UAE and other major cricket markets.