ICC Confirms Women’s T20 World Cup will Relocate to UAE

In a significant update for the global cricket community, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be relocated from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with Dubai and Sharjah set to host the event from October 3 to 20. This relocation follows travel advisories issued by multiple participating nations, making it unfeasible to hold the tournament in Bangladesh. While the UAE will step in to ensure the 2024 competition proceeds smoothly, ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice confirmed that Bangladesh will retain hosting rights for future events.

This relocation to the UAE brings significant commercial implications, especially given the short turnaround time. The UAE, a growing hub for international cricket, offers an opportunity for sponsors to expand their reach into the Middle Eastern market, leveraging Dubai and Sharjah’s strong infrastructure and global reputation. Brands already in the region will benefit from increased exposure, while new market entrants can capitalise on the tournament’s global draw.

Despite the rapid shift, the ICC has demonstrated its ability to protect both the safety and commercial interests of the event. The successful execution of the Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE will further solidify the region’s status as a premier destination for international sports.

In addition to the relocation news, ICC Chair Greg Barclay announced he will not seek a third term and will step down at the end of November 2024. Current directors are now required to put forward nominations for the next Chair by 27 August 2024 and if there is more than one candidate, an election will be held with the term of the new Chair commencing on 1 December 2024.

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