Saudi Arabia has made a remarkable move to become a global cricket destination with the announcement of the World Cricket Festival (WCF) 2025, happening this November in Jeddah. The WCF was launched this week at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Riyadh in the presence of HRH Prince Saud Bin Meshal Al-Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF).

The festival is part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy to expand sports and entertainment opportunities, and at the centre of the WCF is the F2 Double Wicket World Cup with 10 international teams in a unique and fast format. The F2 Double Wicket World Cup introduces new innovations like the Super Sub Rule and the Fireball Over, which will generate excitement beyond regular cricket.

In support of cricket’s growth in the Kingdom, SACF's commercial arm, the Cricket Investment Company (CIC), has partnered with Infinix Holding Ltd, and Infinix has provided the sportswear FIREOX, the official kit sponsor of the Saudi national cricket team since 2022. Organisers expect revenues of SAR 51.6 million in 2025, and revenues could rise to SAR 150 million by 2028, demonstrating the festival's ambition to create a sustainable cricket industry in the Kingdom.

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Saudi Arabia set to host World Cricket Festival 2025 in Jeddah

It is important to note that the WCF will encompass more than just cricket. It will include matches, cultural programs, and live entertainment - future festivals now have a full festival experience. Former international stars, including Saqlain Mushtaq, Yasir Shah, and Wasim Jaffer, were present at the launch, when they were impressed with the efforts of Saudi Arabia to spread cricket into new parts of the world. 

There will be a number of tournaments under the WCF banner, including the Foundation Day Cup (F20), the Gulf Premier League (Soft Ball), the TX Arabia T10 Tournament, and the Saudi Corporate Premier League. They will also collectively attract and engage players at different levels of experience, with both professional cricketers and those with a passion for cricket for the love of the game.

The ambitions of Saudi Arabia represent a wider aspiration for sporting ambitions. Apart from the national football league, the Saudi Pro League has set out to establish the lucrative attraction of global stars to an emerging football reputation, whilst the cricket initiatives set out to put the Kingdom on the global cricket map.

For the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the WCF is the introduction to a new era of the game that offers not only economic benefits, but also socio-cultural duty in the future of sport.

Saudi Arabia is going to take a giant leap into franchise cricket with a whopping $500 million investment in a new T20 league. The league, as per reports, will consist of eight teams and have a novel format that is like a tennis Grand Slam, with games played in four venues during the course of the year.

Supported by Saudi Arabia's SRJ Sports Investments

The league is being backed by SRJ Sports Investments, founded by former Australia's A-League CEO Danny Townsend. Talks over the project have been ongoing for a year between SRJ Sports Investments and the International Cricket Council (ICC), according to reports.

The concept was first devised by Australian Neil Maxwell, an ex-cricketer and celebrated player manager. He now manages Australian captain Pat Cummins, and has been a board member of the Australian Cricketers' Association and Cricket NSW, too.

Aiming to Fix Cricket's Bigger Challenges

The primary objective of this league is to address some of cricket's most pertinent issues, primarily issues regarding the future of Test cricket outside of the domination of India, Australia, and England.

Although leading players will be paid generously, the league has been created as an additional source of revenue for cricket-playing nations. Presently, money in cricket is largely dictated by broadcasting contracts and ICC distributions that have a heavy bias towards India, Australia, and England. Smaller nations usually get into financial trouble, and this league is set to introduce a more equitable financial model.

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How Will This League Fit In?

If sanctioned by the ICC, the tournament will take place in available windows, so it does not conflict with other T20 leagues such as the IPL and BBL.

The new league will include:

• New franchise clubs, located in traditional cricket countries as well as growing markets
• Men's and women's competitions
• A traveling format, supplementing current domestic leagues instead of competing with them
• A final potentially held in Saudi Arabia

No Official Confirmation Yet
Although there are reports that this league has been under discussion for a year, Neil Maxwell and Danny Townsend have said nothing on the matter.

With this ambitious venture going ahead, the future of world cricket could be turned upside down, making smaller countries more financially stable while giving fans yet another thrilling T20 tournament.