Saudi Arabia will stage its first franchise cricket competition in October, with the six-team Dunes League T20 set to be played in Taif, just east of Jeddah. The tournament has been formally approved by the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation (SACF) and is being developed with Sports Asian Network and talent agencies Unique Sports Group and Prolithic. Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, now part of Prolithic, has signed on as league ambassador.
“It is designed to put Saudi Arabia on the global cricket map and to develop Saudi talent,” the SACF said when outlining provisional plans late last year. A second line in the same statement promised to “develop Saudi talent” – an ambition officials repeat whenever the project is mentioned.
Each squad will be allowed a maximum of four players who have appeared in full-member internationals during the past two years. That limit keeps the competition outside the International Cricket Council’s formal approval process while leaving room for several recently retired internationals who remain active on the franchise circuit. Projected top salaries hover around US$100,000.
An agent involved in early player talks, who preferred not to be named because negotiations are ongoing, said: “Those numbers aren’t IPL money, but the schedules are light and the facilities look good. For some older pros it’s attractive.”
The kingdom has been steadily increasing its sporting footprint, investing heavily in football, boxing and tennis, while the Public Investment Fund (PIF) shook up golf with the LIV series. Cricket’s integration has been more measured: a headline ICC sponsorship, hosting the 2024 IPL auction and a partnership with the UAE-based ILT20 sit alongside a long-term deal to stage the FairBreak Women’s T20 Challenge, postponed this year due to regional conflict.
Former England batter Mark Butcher, speaking on a recent podcast, argued that Saudi Arabia’s move “feels inevitable given the region’s desire to diversify”. He added: “The question is whether they build something sustainable rather than simply big-cheque headlines.”
Matches are expected to run across a three-week window, using a single stadium in Taif that is currently undergoing renovation. Organisers believe a shorter event will help local audiences adjust to top-level cricket while keeping operational costs manageable. One coach involved in the planning phase noted: “Logistics are simpler with one venue, and it creates a festival feel.”
While early rumours had hinted at a fully-fledged challenger to the Indian Premier League, the current model sits closer to a niche offering, targeting a blend of regional players, emerging Saudis and household names nearing the end of their international careers. That mix, backers hope, will provide competitive cricket without inflating budgets beyond reach.
The SACF says ticket prices and broadcast details will be announced “in the coming weeks”. For now, the federation’s focus is on finishing stadium upgrades and finalising player drafts. A senior SACF official summed up the mood: “We know we’re starting small, but the long-term vision is clear.”
