Dubai Waly All about Dubai
Last updated: September 2026
Cricket lovers around the world are excited for upcoming cricket matches in Dubai 2026 and across the UAE. Whether you are planning a visit, tracking fixtures from home, or booking tickets early — this complete guide covers everything from venues and schedules to ticket prices, match timetables and dates through the rest of 2026, including what’s already happened this year and what’s still to come.
We’ve structured this blog post for easy reading, with tables, bullet lists, FAQs, and expert insight — optimized for search engines and tailored for worldwide cricket fans.
🏆 Just Concluded: Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026
If you’re reading this in September 2026, the biggest recent cricket event in Dubai has just wrapped up. The DP World Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 ran from August 28 to September 13 entirely at Dubai International Stadium — the first time the UAE has hosted this tournament. Eight teams competed: India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Hong Kong in Group A, and defending champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and hosts UAE in Group B.
India won the final against Sri Lanka on September 13, taking their eighth Women’s Asia Cup title. If you missed the action, highlights and full scorecards are available through official cricket broadcasters and ESPNcricinfo.
📅 What’s Next: Upcoming Cricket in the UAE (October–December 2026)
With the Women’s Asia Cup behind us, here’s exactly what’s coming up across Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi for the rest of the year.
🏏 Afghanistan Multi-Format Tour — October 9 to November 17, 2026
| Dates | Series | Format | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Oct 9, 2026 | Afghanistan vs Bangladesh | One-off Test | UAE (venue TBA) |
| From Oct 17, 2026 | Afghanistan, Bangladesh & Zimbabwe | ODI Tri-Series | UAE (venue TBA) |
| Through Nov 17, 2026 | Multi-format matches continue | T20Is & ODIs | Dubai / Sharjah / Abu Dhabi (TBA) |
| Source: Afghanistan Cricket Board schedule announcement |
Afghanistan hosts this tour on UAE soil, featuring Bangladesh and Zimbabwe across Test, ODI, and T20I formats over nearly six weeks. Exact stadium allocations across Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi were still being finalized as of this update — check the Emirates Cricket Board site closer to each match for confirmed venues and ticket release dates.
🇦🇪 ILT20 2026 (Season 5) — November 22 to December 20, 2026
| Dates | Stage | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Player Auction (Jumeirah, Dubai) | — |
| Nov 22 – Dec 20, 2026 | League Matches & Playoffs | Dubai / Sharjah / Abu Dhabi / Ajman / Al Ain / Fujairah |
| Source: ILT20 official schedule (ilt20.ae) |
The fifth season of the DP World International League T20 returns with the same six franchises: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers (Ajman), Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants (Fujairah), MI Emirates (Al Ain), and Sharjah Warriorz. The tournament runs a double round-robin format followed by playoffs, wrapping up just before the new year. This is typically the biggest and most star-studded cricket event Dubai hosts each year, drawing major international players.
📋 Earlier in 2026: What Already Happened
For reference, here’s a quick recap of the earlier-year events this guide previously tracked, all now completed:
- Emirates D10 League — concluded early February 2026 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
- England Lions vs Pakistan Shaheens — 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is concluded by early March 2026 at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
- Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 — concluded September 13, 2026, won by India (see recap above)
🎟️ Ticket Prices & Where to Book
Ticket prices vary by event, seating tier, and how close you book to match day. As a general guide:
- 🎫 General admission for group-stage matches — often starts from around AED 40–50 for lower-profile fixtures
- 🎫 Marquee fixtures (rivalry matches, semi-finals) — priced noticeably higher, and tend to sell out fastest
- 🎫 Hospitality and VIP suite seating — available for major tournaments, typically starting from AED 150–300 per person depending on the match
- 🎫 ILT20 matches — mid to high pricing given the franchise league’s star power
For major UAE-hosted tournaments, tickets are typically sold online through official ticketing partners (recent tournaments have used platforms like District by Zomato) or directly through each stadium’s box office on match days. Always book through official channels — avoid third-party resellers, especially for high-demand fixtures.
💡 Tip: Ticket prices often increase closer to match dates, and marquee fixtures can sell out weeks in advance. Booking online early gives you better pricing and seat selection.
🎒 What to Expect at the Stadium
A few practical things that make match day smoother, especially if it’s your first time attending a game in the UAE:
- Weather: Evening matches are standard for a reason — daytime heat is still intense through October, and even November evenings can be warm. Bring water and dress light and breathable.
- Security and bag checks: Expect airport-style security at stadium entrances. Large bags, outside food and drink, and professional cameras are typically restricted — check your specific match’s guidelines in advance.
- Getting there: Dubai International Stadium is in Dubai Sports City; Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium (Abu Dhabi) are a taxi or rideshare away from central Dubai. For high-attendance matches, book transport in advance or allow extra time for traffic near the venue.
- Facilities: Major stadiums have food and beverage stalls, but prices are stadium-standard (higher than outside), so budget accordingly.
🗓️ Cricket in Dubai Today — How to Check
Looking for matches happening today? The most reliable free sources for real-time UAE fixtures are:
- ESPNcricinfo’s UAE fixtures page for confirmed dates, venues, and live scores
- The Emirates Cricket Board website for official UAE-hosted tournament news
- The official tournament site for whichever series is currently running (for example, ilt20.ae during ILT20 season)
Note: Match schedules can shift due to broadcast requirements or weather, so always confirm with the official source before heading to the stadium.
📍 UAE Cricket Venues — Quick Reference
| Stadium | City | Typically Hosts |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai International Stadium | Dubai Sports City | Major internationals, Asia Cup, ILT20 finals |
| Sharjah Cricket Stadium | Sharjah | Domestic leagues, bilateral series, ILT20 matches |
| Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium | Abu Dhabi | International tours, ILT20 matches |
📋 Tips for Attending Matches in Dubai & UAE
- Book tickets early: Prices rise and good seats disappear as matches get closer, especially for marquee fixtures.
- Arrive early: Especially for evening and high-profile matches, since security lines can be long.
- Check local travel plans: Most stadiums are a short drive from Dubai city center, but factor in event-day traffic.
- Stay updated: Weather or scheduling changes can happen — follow the official tournament account for real-time updates.
- Pack light: Bring only what you need to speed through security checks.
❓ FAQs — Upcoming Cricket Matches in Dubai 2026
📌 What’s the next major cricket event in Dubai?
After the Women’s T20 Asia Cup concluded on September 13, 2026, the next major events are the Afghanistan multi-format tour (Oct 9 – Nov 17) and ILT20 2026 Season 5 (Nov 22 – Dec 20), the year’s biggest franchise T20 tournament.
📌 Where are upcoming cricket matches in Dubai 2026 being played?
Matches are mainly at:
- Dubai International Stadium (Dubai)
- Sharjah Cricket Stadium (Sharjah)
- Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium (Abu Dhabi)
📌 How do I check the upcoming cricket matches in Dubai 2026 schedule?
Check ESPNcricinfo’s UAE fixtures page or the Emirates Cricket Board site for the most current, confirmed schedule — official sites are updated faster than most third-party listings.
📌 When do ILT20 2026 tickets go on sale?
Tickets for major UAE franchise league matches are typically released a few weeks to a couple of months before the tournament starts, following the player auction (held October 1, 2026 this season). Check ilt20.ae and official ticketing partners closer to late October or November for confirmed sale dates.
📌 What are the main remaining cricket dates in the UAE in 2026?
Key remaining dates for the rest of 2026:
- Oct 9 – Nov 17: Afghanistan multi-format tour vs Bangladesh & Zimbabwe
- Oct 1: ILT20 2026 player auction (already held, in Jumeirah, Dubai)
- Nov 22 – Dec 20: ILT20 2026 (Season 5) league matches and playoffs
See more: Public Holidays UAE 2026
🏁 Conclusion
The UAE — especially Dubai — continues to cement itself as a major hub for international cricket in 2026. The year has already delivered the Emirates D10, an England Lions tour, and a landmark first-ever Women’s T20 Asia Cup won by India. With Afghanistan’s multi-format tour and the always-electric ILT20 season still ahead, there’s plenty more world-class cricket coming before the year is out.
Stay tuned for match updates, ticket releases, and schedule changes throughout the year. Bookmark this guide to track all the upcoming cricket matches in Dubai 2026 and enjoy world-class cricket action in one of the most exciting cricket destinations in the world.
