Confirmed: The Indian Premier League, IPL 2020,  is coming to the UAE!

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave the sign of approval on Sunday, allowing for the professional Twenty20 cricket league to be held in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The league will feature eight teams, each team will have 24 players with unlimited COVID-19 substitutes. The 13th edition of the league will run from September 19 to November 10 and news of live cricket returning on UAE grounds is huge for fans!

COVID-19 measures for fans and supporters wishing to watch the cricket have yet to be revealed.

Live cricket on the way! This is the announcement people were hoping for

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Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) confirms that they have received the official 'Letter of Intent' from BCCI to host the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

👉 https://t.co/7xAkrsi71U

— UAE Cricket Official (@EmiratesCricket) July 27, 2020

The final will be played on November 10

📣 The BIG Announcement we were all waiting for!

🗓️ SEPTEMBER 19 – NOVEMBER 10: #IPL2020 in the UAE 🇦🇪

⏰ 10 day games starting at 15:30 IST; all evening games begin at 19:30 IST

Here we come! 🐪🏙️🏟️#CantWait #KorboLorboJeetbo #CricketIsBack #KKR #Cricket #IPL pic.twitter.com/MaclTPM1f7

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) August 2, 2020

Chinese backer VIVO will be the title sponsor of the event despite previous protests

This year, the IPL reviewed its sponsorships following public backlash over Chinese-connected sponsorship deals. The people’s outcry came after the killing of 20 Indian soldiers by Chinese forces over a Himalayan border dispute.

The Governing Council's #IPL2020 confirmations (subject to clearances from Govt. of India) —

Host: UAE [Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi]
Dates: September 19 – November 10
Squad Limit: 24 players per team
Title Sponsor: VIVO

Bring it on !! 💪https://t.co/dSS0K8T7ev

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) August 2, 2020

Some supporters will not support the event due to Chinese sponsorship

https://twitter.com/arnabofficial7/status/1290102633898708993?s=20

UAE cricket facilities have been readying themselves for the eventuality of hosting the IPL after hosting it for the first time in 2014 due to general elections taking place in India

Read More: The UAE Will Host The T20 Cricket World Cup

Following UAE’s role in hosting the IPL, The Board of Control for Cricket in India is proposing to shift the T20 World Cup to the Emirates due to the challenging COVID situation in India.

The Board stated the decision will be made in the next couple of days and will be conveyed to the International Cricket Council, according to Reuters.