ABOUT THE 2021 INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE

The VIVO Indian Premier League resumes in the UAE next week, with fans back in the stands as the biggest T20 franchise competition in the world returns to Abu Dhabi’s majestic Zayed Cricket Stadium for the third time in its history.

Having previously hosted seven games in 2014 when the first half of the tournament was held in the UAE, and 22 matches of last year’s competition that played out entirely across the emirates, Abu Dhabi is the backdrop for eight of this year’s remaining fixtures.

Delhi Capitals currently sit top of the table having collected 12 points from eight matches, with Punjab Kings the only other team to have played eight times.

The remaining six sides have played seven games so far as the competition prepares to heat up in the UAE.

HOW CAN I WATCH THE GAMES AND ARE FANS ALLOWED IN THE STADIUM?

Following approval from The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority and Abu Dhabi Sports Council and with the support of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the VIVO IPL’s resumption will see the return of fans to Zayed Cricket Stadium for the first time since the final match of the Abu Dhabi T10 on November 24, 2019. The BCCI and all of Abu Dhabi’s local partners are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of supporters.

Through those efforts, they have been able to ensure that Zayed Cricket Stadium will operate at a maximum capacity of 2,200 for the initial matches of the 2021 IPL edition. For anyone who can’t make it to the game, the entirety of the VIVO Indian Premier League will be broadcast in the UAE on BeIn Sports – the official broadcaster to the BCCI.

Fans should check the detailed Terms & Conditions on the Platinumlist.net website for all the health protocols associated with entry and delivering a safe event.

WHAT IPL GAMES ARE IN ABU DHABI AND WHEN DO THEY START?

The first of eight games at Zayed Cricket Stadium takes place on 20 September, with England’s World Cup winning captain Eoin Morgan leading his Kolkata Knight Riders outfit out against India national team captain and superstar Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore. This is going to be blockbuster start to the VIVO IPL in Abu Dhabi!

Abu Dhabi will then see reigning champions Mumbai Indians take on Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday, 23 September. Both sides have based themselves in the UAE capital and have been using Abu Dhabi Cricket’s world-class facilities in preparation for the remainder of the VIVO IPL. It makes that showdown a home derby for Abu Dhabi and should serve up a cracker of a match between two teams that will by then know conditions better than anyone else.

HOW CAN I BUY IPL TICKETS?

Tickets will be hot property, but fans looking to get their hands on VIVO IPL tickets in Abu Dhabi can do so at: https://abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/82125/ipl-abu-dhabi

FULL IPL SCHEDULE IN ABU DHABI