DUBAI: Dubai is hosting the inaugural Baseball United Arab Classic, a national team tournament running from November 7-10, at the newly completed Baseball United Ballpark. Located in The Sevens sports complex near Dubai’s centre, this landmark event will feature nine national teams from the GCC and South Asia, making it the largest and most competitive baseball tournament in the region to date.

The tournament welcomes teams from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Afghanistan, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, marking the debut of the UAE’s newly formed national team. Baseball United, which introduced the first pro baseball league for the Middle East and South Asia, spearheaded the rapid construction of the ballpark in just 38 days, collaborating with Dubai Sports Council and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

Notable figures, including Baseball United Co-Owners and MLB legends Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera, Adrian Beltre, and Elvis Andrus, attended the official press event alongside dignitaries from various countries. Kash Shaikh, Baseball United’s Chairman and CEO, highlighted the project’s significance: “This tournament is not only a milestone for baseball but a historic moment for Dubai and the entire region.”

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The tournament’s schedule includes matches from morning to evening daily, with teams competing in two groups. Group A features India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE, while Group B includes Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Palestine. After group play, the top six teams advance to playoffs on November 10, culminating in an 8pm championship game. Tickets, sold in sessions, range from AED 49 to AED 499 and are available exclusively on Platinumlist.

This event also marks the debut of Dubai’s Baseball United Ballpark, featuring professional-grade facilities including synthetic turf, dugouts, lighting, and hospitality areas, with additional seating planned for pro league games in 2025.