The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a popular professional Twenty20 cricket league in India, but it also has a significant following in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In fact, the UAE has been an important destination for the IPL in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the league was forced to move out of India due to the health crisis.
One reason for the popularity of the IPL in the UAE is the large population of Indian expatriates living there. Indians make up the largest expatriate community in the UAE, accounting for about 27% of the country’s total population. Many of these Indian expats are cricket fans and are avid followers of the IPL.
The first time the IPL was held in the UAE was in 2014, when the tournament was partially held in the country due to the general elections in India. The tournament was a big success, with fans turning out in large numbers to support their favorite teams. The UAE was once again chosen as a venue for the IPL in 2020, when the tournament was moved out of India due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the 2020 edition of the IPL, which was held entirely in the UAE, strict health protocols were put in place to ensure the safety of players, officials, and fans. Despite the restrictions, fans were still able to attend matches, albeit in limited numbers. The fact that the tournament was held successfully in the UAE, with minimal disruptions, further strengthened the popularity of the IPL among cricket fans in the country.
Apart from the Indian expat community, the IPL also has a growing fan base among cricket enthusiasts in the UAE. The country has a strong cricketing culture, and there are many local leagues and tournaments that take place throughout the year. The presence of top international cricketers in the IPL, as well as the high-quality cricket on display, has helped to attract new fans to the tournament.
Overall, the IPL has a significant fan following in the UAE, driven by the large Indian expat community and the growing popularity of cricket in the country. With the tournament set to return to India in 2021, it remains to be seen whether the UAE will continue to be a regular venue for the IPL in the future.