UAE venues to allow fans for Indian Premier League fixtures

With the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) season set to recommence in the United Arab Emirates this weekend, organisers have advised that fans will be allowed into stadiums for the remainder of the tournament.

Suspended in May with 31 matches left to play after several players and backroom staff tested positive for COVID-19, the relocated season will resume on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and will continue with games across the UAE leading up to the final on 15th October.

In a statement on Wednesday, organisers advised “matches will be played at Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi with limited seating available keeping in mind the COVID protocols and UAE government regulations.”

The League did not specify the number of fans to be allowed in the limited seating or mention if vaccine certificates would be mandatory for entry.

Fans being able to attend will mark the first time that spectators have attended IPL matches since 2019.

The 2020 IPL competition was moved to the UAE where it was held behind closed doors while venues in India were empty during the first part of this season’s fixtures.

The decision to move the IPL to the UAE was taken due to the monsoon season in India in September and October. Matches will be held in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, with limited seating to be made available in line with COVID-19 protocols and UAE Government regulations.

Once the IPL is concluded, the relocated T20 World Cup will also be staged in the UAE along with Oman.

This tournament, to be held from 17th October to 14th November, was also originally dues to be held in India.

Image: IPL 2020 action at the Dubai International Stadium. Credit: Dubai Sports Council.