Dubai international stadium in the Dubai sports city, United Arab Emirates is one of the most developed cricketing stadiums in the world. Since its inception in 2009, it has turned out to be an international cricketing venue with ICC tournaments, franchise leagues, and international games. It is famous due to 25,000 plus seating capacity, Ring of Fire floodlights, and equal pitch conditions that still have followers all over the world.
In this article, we will discuss about the Dubai International Stadium, pitch report, reviews, capacity, weather, records, boundary length, tickets pricing and More.
Dubai International Stadium: Overview
Dubai International Stadium is a stadium designed by Awsam Matloob, a Canadian architect and owned by Dubai Properties and established in 2009 and located in Dubai Sports City, UAE. The Emirates Cricket Board operates it and is used as the home ground to the UAE national men and women teams, as well as ILT20 franchises such as Dubai Capitals, Desert Vipers, and Gulf Giants.
| Feature | Details |
| Stadium Name | Dubai International Stadium |
| Location | Dubai Sports City, Dubai, UAE |
| Established | 2009 |
| Architect | Awsam Matloob |
| Owner | Dubai Properties |
| Operator | Emirates Cricket Board |
| End Names | Emirates Road End & Dubai Sports City End |
| Tenants | UAE National Teams Desert Vipers Dubai Capitals Gulf Giants |
| Special Feature | “Ring of Fire” floodlight system with 350 lights |
| Coordinates | 25°2′48″N 55°13′8″E |
Ownership & Management
| Aspect | Details |
| Ownership | Part of Dubai Sports City master development |
| Management | Run by Dubai Sports City’s management structure with Media & Broadcast Area and Venue Operations Center (VOC) |
| Branding | Promoted as the “crowning glory” of Dubai Sports City |
Renovations & Upgrades
| Milestone | Details |
| 15th Anniversary (2019) | Marked growth in events and operational scaling |
| Upgrades | Continuous modernization in broadcast and capacity rather than one-time reconstruction |
| Lighting | “Ring of Fire” system replacing traditional floodlight towers, enhancing HD broadcast quality |
| Financial Impact | AED 110M+ generated from international events |
Modern Technologies
| Technology | Details |
| Floodlighting | “Ring of Fire” with ~350 roof-mounted lights for shadow-free play |
| Broadcast | Dedicated press rooms, Media & Broadcast Area, and Venue Operations Center |
| Event Capability | Hosts global franchise leagues and ICC events with advanced media facilities |
Hospitality & Services
| Facility | Details |
| VIP & Corporate | Hospitality suites, premium lounges, luxurious boxes |
| Food & Retail | Food courts and retail spaces within the stadium complex |
| Spectator Comfort | Standard seating with excellent sightlines across 148 m diameter |
Accessibility & Inclusivity
| Aspect | Details |
| Entry & Parking | Accessible entrances and ample parking |
| Smart Venue Features | Technology-driven crowd management |
| Inclusivity | Comfort-focused circulation and accessibility provisions |
| Capacity Management | Expandable to ~30,000 during high-demand events |
Dubai International Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch in the Dubai international stadium is regarded as being balanced so both the batters and bowlers will be fair. Early overs tend to favour seamers though spinners are favoured later as the surface dries.
The average score in the first innings is 219220 and the second innings has a lower average of 193 in ODIs which prove that chasing is not always an easy game but more successful. T20Is performance is between 139 and 145 in the first innings which are competitive games and not very high. Tests are slow in pitch and normally draw unless reverse swing and spin are taken advantage of by bowlers.
| Format | Avg. 1st Innings Score | Avg. 2nd Innings Score | Chasing Record |
| Test Matches | 350+ | 250–300 | Balanced |
| ODIs | 219–220 | 193 | Better for chasing sides |
| T20Is | 139–145 | 128–135 | Slight edge for chasing |
Key Factor: Dew plays a major role in evening games, making it easier for batters to chase totals under lights.
Dubai International Stadium Capacity
The seating capacity of 25,000 can be increased to 30,000 during major events such as world cups and Asia cups.
The structure is bowl-shaped, which offers a great sightline of all the seats.
- Expandable Seats: temporary seats can increase spectators to a high demand match.
- Ring of Fire Floodlights: 350 roof lights are mounted on roofs, ensuring that the fans and television sets can see everything perfectly.
Seating Capacity Comparison (UAE Stadiums)
| Stadium | Location | Capacity |
| Dubai International Stadium | Dubai Sports City | 25,000–30,000 |
| Sharjah Cricket Stadium | Sharjah | 16,000 |
| Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium | Abu Dhabi | 20,000 |
Dubai International Stadium Reviews
The stadium can frequently be admired by fans and critics due to its state-of-the-art facilities and electrified atmosphere.
Advantages: Visibility is excellent, there is modern lighting, entry and exit are smooth, it is lively during marquee matches.
Disadvantages: Expensive entry fees when it comes to big games, it is hot during the day.
Fan Review Highlights
| Aspect | Rating (out of 5) | Remarks |
| Viewing Experience | 5/5 | Clear sightlines, shadow-free lighting |
| Accessibility | 4/5 | Well-connected by road, parking available |
| Atmosphere | 4/5 | Exciting, especially during India–Pakistan matches |
| Comfort | 4/5 | Best during evening matches due to heat |
| Amenities | 4/5 | Food courts, restrooms, family-friendly |
Dubai International Stadium Weather
The desert-like climate of Dubai also means that weather is an issue to cricket.
Summer (May -Sept): Hot (max. 45 o C), humid nights, high dew effect.
Winters (Nov -Feb): pleasant (18 o C -28 o C), day-night cricket is good.
Rain: Scarcity, i.e. hardly any face is washed away.
| Month | Avg. Day Temp | Avg. Night Temp | Rainfall | Impact on Matches |
| Jan–Feb | 20–25°C | 14–18°C | Very Low | Best playing conditions |
| May–Sept | 37–45°C | 28–32°C | Minimal | Strong dew factor |
| Nov–Dec | 25–30°C | 18–22°C | Low | Balanced conditions |
Tip for Fans: Evening games are much more comfortable to attend, as daytime heat can be extreme.
Dubai Stadium Boundary Length
Boundary sizes at Dubai International Stadium are adjustable, depending on ICC requirements for different tournaments.
| Boundary Type | Approx. Length |
| Straight | 65–72 meters |
| Square | 64–80 meters |
| Ground Dimensions | 148m x 130m |
This flexibility makes the stadium suitable for both high-scoring T20s and balanced ODI contests.
All Format Records
ODI Records
| Record | Details |
| Highest Team Total | 355/5 – England vs Pakistan |
| Highest Successful Chase | 287/8 – Sri Lanka vs Pakistan |
| Lowest Team Total | 116 – Hong Kong vs Pakistan |
| Top Individual Score | 302* – Azhar Ali vs West Indies |
| Best Bowling | 6/38 – Shahid Afridi vs Australia |
T20I Records
| Record | Details |
| Highest Team Total | 212/2 – India vs Afghanistan |
| Lowest Team Total | 71 – Kenya vs Afghanistan |
| Top Individual Score | 122* – Virat Kohli vs Afghanistan |
| Best Bowling | 5/20 – Rashid Khan vs Ireland |
Test Match Records
| Record | Details |
| Highest Team Score | 579/3d – Pakistan vs New Zealand |
| Best Bowling | 10 wickets – Saeed Ajmal vs England (2012) |
| Memorable Match | Pakistan beating England 3-0 in 2012 series |
Tickets Pricing
Tickets are available both online and offline:
- Online: Platinumlist.net offers official ticketing for matches with seating categories.
- Offline: Physical ticket counters at Canal Parking Sports City, 500 meters from the stadium.
| Match Type | Price Range (AED) |
| Group Stage (Asia Cup/ILT20) | 50–200 AED |
| Big Matches (India vs Pakistan, Finals) | 475–1000+ AED |
| Family Stands | 100–250 AED |
| VIP/Corporate Boxes | 2000+ AED |
Tip: Early booking is advisable to marquee games because the prices are high near matchday.
Tournaments at Dubai International Stadium
- ICC T20 World Cup 2021 – Semi-final and Final.
- Asia Cup 2018, 2022 -Hosted a number of games including Finals.
- IPL 2014, 2020 & 2021 – Multiple games & Finals
- Champions Trophy 2025 Group and knockout matches.
- PSL Finals (2016 2019) Opening ceremony and Finals.
- T10 League, Franchise UAE T20x, ILT20, T10 League.
Dubai Stadium Upcoming Matches – Asia Cup 2025
The Asia Cup 2025 will feature several key matches at Dubai International Stadium.
| Date | Match | Time |
| 10 Sept 2025 | India vs UAE | Evening |
| 12 Sept 2025 | Pakistan vs Oman | Evening |
| 16 Sept 2025 | Super 4 Clash | Evening |
| 21 Sept 2025 | Semi-Final | Evening |
With evening start times, dew will likely play a decisive role, favoring teams bowling first.
Comparison with Major Stadiums
| Stadium | Seating Capacity | Strengths |
| Dubai Stadium | 25,000–30,000 | Dubai smaller but excels in lighting tech and premium hospitality |
| Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad) | 132,000 | Largest in the world, modern rebuild (2020), metro connectivity, LED lighting |
| Eden Gardens (Kolkata) | 68,000 | Historic venue, strong cultural legacy, modernized with floodlights and screens |
Why Dubai International Stadium is Iconic
- Ring of Fire Lighting: 350 floodlights on the roof, get rid of shadows.
- Globally-recognized stadium: Daily host to ICC tournaments and IPL matches.
- History of Neutral venue: Pakistan has been playing their games in this venue over the years.
- Global Fan Destination: Dubai is centrally placed to attract fans in not only Asia but the whole of Europe as well.
- Equal Pitch: Provides competitive cricket in bat and ball.
Conclusion
The Dubai international stadium is not merely a ground used in cricket but a landmark in sports all over the world. It has become popular among players and fans due to its modern design, balanced pitch, large capacity and shadow-free light. It has hosted some of the most unforgettable moments in the history of the sport: Azhar Ali triple century, IPL finals and India vs Pakistan thrillers to mention a few.
Dubai international stadium will remain one of the most significant places in world cricket as it hosts Asia cup 2025 and future ICC events.
FAQs
It has a capacity of 25,000 people with a capacity of 30,000.
Due to its 350 floodlights, which are mounted at the roof and are in a circular shape.
It is even, with initial smooth, subsequent rotation, but the dew facilitates pursuit.
355/5 by England against Pakistan.
The tickets will be sold at Platinumlist.net and at Canal Parking Sports City counters.
