Dubai: The Emirate of Dubai is hosting the Arab Classic Tournament; the first Baseball Tournament in the Middle East, taking place from 7th to 10th Nov. 2024 at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai with participation of eight national teams; these are: UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Palestine, Bangladesh & Afghanistan.

The Tournament is organized by the Baseball United in collaboration with Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the Department of Economy & Tourism and the Emirates Cricket Board

The Tournament’s details were declared in a press conference, convened at DSC’s premises and addressed by Ali Omar Al-Baloushi, Director of Sports Events Dept. in DSC, Yacoub Mohammed, Senior Manager of Dubai Fitness Challenge, Kash Sheikh, the Board Chairman, CEO & Participating Founder of the Tournament.

The Conference was held in the presence of several baseball’s world stars; top of them is the Legend Mariano Rivera; the best baseball player in the world who won the world’s title five times and played to the New York Yankees.

A unique stadium; the first of its kind in the Middle East, has been built to host this Tournament, and it will also witness the organization of the Baseball United Cup from 22nd Feb. to 1st March 2025 with participation of the Teams of Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Mid East Falcons and the Emirati Team Arabia Wolves, which will all contest nine matches.

The stadium is also hosting the Baseball United League; the first of its kind in the region, which is scheduled from 23rd Oct. to 23rd Nov. 2025.  33 matches to be played by five teams. Matches of the League are played six days a week and will continue for five weeks. The first two teams will play in the first ever United Series – a crucial series of three matches to determine the League’s champion.   

Arab Classic Baseball Tournament Schedule:

Thursday 7th Nov. 2024

Morning Session

  • Afghanistan vs. India 8:00 am. – 10:00 am.
  • Bangladesh vs. Pakistan 10:30 am – 12:30 pm.
  • India vs. UAE 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

Evening Session

  • Sri Lanka vs. Saudi Arabia 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm.
  • Nepal vs. Palestine 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
  • UAE vs. Pakistan 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Friday 8th Nov.

Morning Session

  • Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan 8:00 am – 10:00 am.
  • Saudi Arabia vs. Nepal 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.
  • Afghanistan vs. UAE 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Evening Session

  • Palestine vs. Sri Lanka 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  • Pakistan vs. India 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Saturday 9th Nov. 2024

Morning Session

  • Nepal vs. Sri Lanka 8:00 am. – 10:00 am
  • UAE vs. Bangladesh 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • Pakistan vs. Afghanistan 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Evening Session

  • Saudi Arabia vs. Palestine 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  • India vs. Bangladesh 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Sunday 10th Nov.

  • Quarter Final 1       8:00 am – 10:00 am
  • Quarter Final 2     11:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • Semi Final 1              2:00 pm – 4:00 pm   
  • Semi Final 2             5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 
  • The Tournament’s Final 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Baseball United Announces Completion of New Dubai Ballpark and Several Historic Milestones

Baseball United Chairman and CEO, Kash Shaikh, shared that – as well as several other record-setting milestones – at an official press conference in partnership with Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Several dignitaries were in attendance, including Baseball United Co-Owners and Major League Baseball legends, Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera, Adrian Beltre, and Elvis Andrus. Government officials from the UAE, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic were also in attendance.

“We have come a long way in a short time,” said Shaikh. “In just two short years – fueled by the belief and support of the Dubai government, regional baseball federations, baseball legends, baseball fans around the world, and the will and resilience of our own Baseball United team – we’ve all made history. And we’ve made that history over and over again. I say that with no exaggeration or hyperbole, because everything we are doing together has truly never been done before. Together, we’ve transported a completely new sport to a completely new part of the world, and we’ve built another bridge to connect people to Dubai as one of the world’s greatest sports and entertainment destinations.”

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Baseball United’s historic milestones include:

The expansion of its ownership to 20 professional baseball legends. In addition to Larkin, Rivera, Beltre, and Andrus, top players such as Albert Pujols, Felix Hernandez, Robinson Cano, Robinson Chirinos, Ryan Howard, Bartolo Colon, and Ronald Acuña Jr. are part of the current investment group. Collectively, these legends represent more than 300 years of professional baseball experience, 80 MLB All-Star appearances, and 15 World Series Championships.

The launch of Baseball United’s official merchandise line in Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and The Galleria Mall (Abu Dhabi) in partnership with GO Sport. Official baseball jerseys will be available for sale for the first time, including the jerseys of all four inaugural Baseball United franchises, the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Mid East Falcons, and the Dubai-based Arabia Wolves.

The formation of the first-ever UAE National Baseball Team, in partnership with Emirates Cricket Board. The new UAE team will play its first ever match at 1pm GST on Thursday against India, and then again later that evening against Pakistan (8pm GST).

The completion of the first ever professional baseball field in the history of this region. Baseball United Ballpark, with field dimensions mirrored after the iconic Yankee Stadium, is the only professional field within 10,000km of Dubai. The field will be home to all Baseball United events, tournaments, and its upcoming league season, as well as serve as a launchpad for international events with top baseball teams from around the world.

Tickets for all Sessions are available on Platinumlist. Ticket prices begin at AED 49.

To learn more about Baseball United, visit baseballunited.com