Saudi Arabia is set to make its official entry into franchise cricket with the launch of the Dunes League T20, the country’s first major T20 tournament, scheduled to begin in October this year.
The league has received approval from the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation and will reportedly feature a combination of retired international stars and players currently active in franchise cricket around the world.
Saudi Arabia has aggressively expanded its footprint in global sports over the past few years by hosting major football, boxing, tennis, and golf events as part of its broader economic diversification strategy.
The kingdom’s Public Investment Fund previously backed the launch of LIV Golf, although reports suggest financial support for the project could end after the ongoing season.
While Saudi Arabia’s involvement in cricket has been comparatively gradual, the country has already partnered with the International Cricket Council through sponsorship agreements and hosted the 2024 auction for the Indian Premier League.
The kingdom has also collaborated with the UAE-based International League T20 and signed a long-term deal to host the FairBreak Women’s T20 Challenge, though the tournament’s first edition was delayed due to regional tensions.
According to reports, the six-team Dunes League T20 will be played in Taif near Jeddah and is being developed in partnership with Sports Asian Network and talent agencies Unique Sports Group and Prolithic.
Unique Sports Group represents Jofra Archer, while Prolithic manages Abhishek Sharma. Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has also been named as the league’s ambassador.
Saudi officials previously said the tournament is intended to place the country on the “global cricket map” while simultaneously helping develop local cricket talent.
The league is expected to permit up to four players from full-member cricket nations who have represented their countries within the last two years, helping the tournament remain within ICC regulatory limits.
Reports further suggest that the highest-paid players in the competition could earn salaries of up to $100,000.
