Key Points
- Saudi Arabia to host inaugural six-team Dunes T20 League in October 2026
- Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh joins the tournament as league ambassador
- The event aims to develop regional cricket talent and attract international stars
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia is set to host its first professional Twenty20 cricket competition later this year, marking a major step in the Kingdom’s push to expand its global sporting footprint and develop cricket in the region.
The six-team Dunes T20 League is scheduled to begin in the second week of October 2026 and will feature international cricket stars alongside emerging regional talent. Organisers say the tournament aims to establish Saudi Arabia as a new destination on the international cricket calendar.
The league is being launched under the supervision of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, which awarded operating rights in October 2025 to South Asian Network (SAN) Limited.
The SAN would organise in partnership with Unique Sports Group and Prolithic Talent Agency, a sports management and investment company mentored by Yuvraj Singh.
Singh, one of India’s most celebrated white-ball cricketers, has been appointed league ambassador and is expected to play a prominent role in promoting the tournament internationally.
“Really looking forward to joining the Dunes T20 League as league ambassador at such an exciting time for cricket in Saudi Arabia,” Singh said.
“This league has the vision and ambition to grow the game in a new market, create opportunities for local emerging players, and bring fans a truly authentic cricket experience,” he added.
He added that the participation of former international stars alongside young players could help inspire a new generation of cricketers across the region.
Organisers described the project as a landmark moment for cricket development in Saudi Arabia and said the competition is intended to create long-term sporting and commercial opportunities.
“This partnership marks a defining moment for the growth of cricket in Saudi Arabia,” a spokesperson for SAN said.
“Together with Unique Sports Group and Prolithic, and with the support of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, we aim to build an exciting T20 league that attracts global talent and delivers lasting sporting and commercial value,” he added.
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in international sports in recent years, hosting major events in football, Formula One, boxing and golf as part of its broader economic diversification strategy under Vision 2030.
