DUBAI: The inaugural season of the DP World ILT20 cricket league in the UAE has left an indelible mark on the cricketing world as the Gulf Giants clinched the coveted trophy in a thrilling final at the Dubai International Stadium on February 12.
The tournament final witnessed a jam-packed stadium as the James Vince-led Giants etched their names in history as the first-ever champions of the UAE’s T20 league.
Drawing an overwhelming response from cricket fans globally, particularly in India, the DP World ILT20 delivered high-quality broadcasts on Zee platforms, featuring commentary in English, Hindi, and Tamil.
According to a research report by YouGov Sport, a global sports, sponsorship, and entertainment research company, the DP World ILT20 Season 1 emerged as the second most-watched league in India and worldwide. The league garnered a staggering reach of 255.4 million fans in India, boosted by strong TV ratings.
With the participation of 118 players from around the world, the inaugural edition showcased top-notch performances by the biggest assembly of foreign players in any non-international cricket tournament.
The DP World ILT20 also offered fans comprehensive coverage, including match highlights and clips, not only on Zee’s platforms but also on the league’s digital platforms.
DP World ILT20 Achieves Impressive Global Viewership
On a global scale, the DP World ILT20 2023 edition achieved an impressive worldwide unique viewership of 367 million people through TV and digital platforms.
Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board, expressed his satisfaction with the league’s success and emphasized their commitment to making the upcoming second season even grander.
“The overwhelming support received by the league speaks volumes about the quality of cricket showcased in the inaugural DP World ILT20. We are fully dedicated to elevating the league’s stature in the second season,” said Usmani.
Echoing his sentiments, Rahul Johri, President of Business at Zee, praised the phenomenal success of DP World ILT20 Season 1, which attracted over 250 million viewers across linear television and digital platforms.
As the official media evaluation supplier to numerous cricket leagues worldwide, YouGov Sport lauded DP World ILT20’s exceptional achievements in its inaugural season, surpassing other T20 leagues. With a monumental reach of over 367 million unique viewers globally, the league’s first season marked an unparalleled accomplishment.
Excitement continues to build as DP World ILT20 prepares to return with its second edition on January 13 next year. The league is gearing up for exciting announcements, including the player retention process and potential recruitments from the UAE.
