Cricket meets culture in Saudi Arabia’s biggest sporting move yet
Saudi Arabia is taking its most ambitious step yet into the cricket world with the launch of the World Cricket Festival (WCF), set to take place in Jeddah in November 2025. Billed as a four-day fusion of elite cricket, live entertainment, and cultural showcases, the event is designed to position the Kingdom not just as a cricket host — but as a long-term stakeholder in the global cricket industry.
Following its playbook in football, Formula 1, and boxing, Saudi Arabia is now turning its attention to cricket as a pillar of its Vision 2030 strategy, using sport as a vehicle to diversify the economy, promote community engagement, and enhance international visibility.
According to multiple reports, the WCF will feature the F2 Double Wicket World Cup, a two-player format tournament with 10 international teams, designed to maximize action, shorten match times, and deliver a fast-paced, streaming-friendly product. Innovations like the Super Sub rule and Fireball over are aimed at drawing new audiences, while nighttime concerts and cultural showcases will create a “day-and-night” festival experience for attendees.
Strategic alliances and economic ambition behind the cricket push
At the heart of this transformation is the Cricket Investment Company (CIC) — the newly formed commercial arm of the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation (SACF). CIC is tasked with building a full-fledged cricket economy in Saudi Arabia, from grassroots participation to professional leagues.
The Kingdom has partnered with Infinix Holding Ltd, which will support the development of year-round cricket programming. Over the next 18 months, a slate of flagship leagues is set to debut across Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC:
- F2 Double Wicket World Cup – Launching during the WCF
- TX Arabia – A 10-over format aimed at younger fans
- SCPL (Saudi Corporate Premier League) – A league combining corporate networking with cricket
- F20 (Foundation Day Cup) – A national T20 tournament returning in 2026
- GPL (Gulf Premier League – Soft Ball Edition) – Focused on recreational mass participation
The entire initiative is projected to generate SAR 51.6 million (approx. $13.76 million) in its debut year, with future projections exceeding SAR 150 million (approx. $40 million) by 2028 — turning Saudi Arabia into a genuine economic force in global cricket.
Grassroots development in line with Vision 2030
The WCF and its supporting initiatives aren’t just about revenue. They are deeply tied to national development priorities, especially in youth engagement and sports accessibility.
“The partnership aligns with our core objectives as a federation. We are working on developing the game at its grassroot levels by creating opportunity, professional set-up, and a better quality of life for everyone involved in the sport in Saudi Arabia. It is a natural alliance with vision 2030,” said Prince Saud Bin Meshal Al-Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation, in an interview with Arab News.
CIC and Infinix are also creating player discovery platforms like #BeTheNext, digital media like CricArabia, and fan engagement tools such as FIRE Set Go, to build an ecosystem that links amateur players with elite opportunities.
The FIREOX story: powering Saudi’s cricket rise
At the center of Infinix Holding Ltd’s cricket strategy is FIREOX, a performance activewear and sports equipment brand launched in 2018. Already shipping to 56 countries, FIREOX has been the official kit provider of the Saudi national cricket team since 2022 and supports top teams across Saudi Arabia and Doha.
“FIREOX began as a bold idea and has become a global brand. From outfitting the Saudi national team to reaching athletes in more than 50 countries, FIREOX is proof that Saudi-led brands can compete globally. Now, with our events and digital platforms, we’re taking the same ambition to cricket itself — building not just a sport, but a movement,” said Waqqas Alvi, CEO of Infinix Holding Ltd, as quoted by multiple media outlets.
The company’s early success came in February 2025 when it helped deliver the Saudi Foundation Day Cup — a nine-day T20 tournament that featured international stars and was streamed globally, proving that cricket can succeed in the Kingdom both as a sport and an entertainment product.
A sustainable cricket economy in the making
Saudi Arabia’s cricket strategy is clearly not a one-off play for headlines. With the launch of the WCF, the creation of a new commercial arm, multiple leagues, and investments in talent, fan engagement, and digital infrastructure — the Kingdom is building a full-spectrum cricket industry.
With international teams, global partnerships, and a booming recreational base, Saudi Arabia aims to become a new epicenter for the sport — one that merges commerce, community, and culture under the banner of cricket.
