Saudi Arabia is set to enter the global franchise cricket landscape with the launch of the Dunes T20 League, a new six-team tournament scheduled to begin in October 2026 in Taif, close to Jeddah.
The tournament has been developed through a partnership between South Asian Network Ltd, Unique Sports Group and Prolithic Sports, as part of a wider effort to expand cricket’s footprint across the Kingdom and establish Saudi Arabia as an emerging destination for international cricket.
The league brings together several influential figures and organizations from the cricket industry. Unique Sports Group represents international players including Jofra Archer, while Prolithic Sports manages talents such as Abhishek Sharma. Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has also been appointed as the official ambassador of the Dunes T20 League, adding significant global recognition to the project.
Backed by the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation and multiple strategic partnerships, the league reflects Saudi Arabia’s increasing investment in international sports as part of its broader Vision 2030 initiative aimed at diversifying the country’s sporting and entertainment sectors.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has steadily expanded its involvement in world cricket through sponsorships, commercial partnerships and hosting ambitions. The Kingdom hosted the Indian Premier League player auction in 2024, highlighting its growing relationship with the sport and signaling its intention to become a key player in cricket’s global ecosystem.
The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation has also strengthened ties with regional and international cricket properties. Last year, the federation partnered with the UAE’s ILT20 in a move designed to support cricket development across the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia additionally signed a long-term agreement to host the FairBreak Women’s T20 Challenge, although the inaugural edition has currently been placed on hold due to ongoing tensions in the Gulf region.
Saudi-backed companies and projects have also become increasingly visible in the sport. Saudi Aramco became a global partner of the International Cricket Council in 2022, with its branding now regularly featured across ICC tournaments and international events. Visit Saudi has also expanded into cricket sponsorships and has been linked with partnerships around the IPL ecosystem.
Meanwhile, NEOM partnered with the Rajasthan Royals as a principal partner in 2024 and continues to work alongside the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation on cricket participation and infrastructure projects within the Kingdom.
With the launch of the Dunes T20 League, Saudi Arabia appears set to accelerate its ambitions of becoming a significant force in the future growth and commercial expansion of world cricket.
The tournament has been developed through a partnership between South Asian Network Ltd, Unique Sports Group and Prolithic Sports, as part of a wider effort to expand cricket’s footprint across the Kingdom and establish Saudi Arabia as an emerging destination for international cricket.
The league brings together several influential figures and organizations from the cricket industry. Unique Sports Group represents international players including Jofra Archer, while Prolithic Sports manages talents such as Abhishek Sharma. Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has also been appointed as the official ambassador of the Dunes T20 League, adding significant global recognition to the project.
Backed by the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation and multiple strategic partnerships, the league reflects Saudi Arabia’s increasing investment in international sports as part of its broader Vision 2030 initiative aimed at diversifying the country’s sporting and entertainment sectors.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has steadily expanded its involvement in world cricket through sponsorships, commercial partnerships and hosting ambitions. The Kingdom hosted the Indian Premier League player auction in 2024, highlighting its growing relationship with the sport and signaling its intention to become a key player in cricket’s global ecosystem.
The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation has also strengthened ties with regional and international cricket properties. Last year, the federation partnered with the UAE’s ILT20 in a move designed to support cricket development across the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia additionally signed a long-term agreement to host the FairBreak Women’s T20 Challenge, although the inaugural edition has currently been placed on hold due to ongoing tensions in the Gulf region.
Saudi-backed companies and projects have also become increasingly visible in the sport. Saudi Aramco became a global partner of the International Cricket Council in 2022, with its branding now regularly featured across ICC tournaments and international events. Visit Saudi has also expanded into cricket sponsorships and has been linked with partnerships around the IPL ecosystem.
Meanwhile, NEOM partnered with the Rajasthan Royals as a principal partner in 2024 and continues to work alongside the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation on cricket participation and infrastructure projects within the Kingdom.
With the launch of the Dunes T20 League, Saudi Arabia appears set to accelerate its ambitions of becoming a significant force in the future growth and commercial expansion of world cricket.
