The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most exciting and popular cricket tournaments in the world. As an Indian expat living in the UAE, you might be wondering how you can watch the IPL matches live. In this article, we will guide you through the different ways you can watch the IPL in the UAE.

Television Broadcasts

The easiest way to watch IPL in the UAE is through television broadcasts. The tournament is broadcasted live on the Star Sports network in India, which has a partnership with the Dubai-based satellite provider, OSN. You can subscribe to the OSN sports package and enjoy watching the matches on your TV. The OSN sports package costs around AED 299 per month and includes other sports channels as well.

Hotstar App

Another popular option to watch the IPL is the Hotstar app, which is available in the UAE. Hotstar is an online streaming service owned by Star India and offers live streaming of all IPL matches. You can subscribe to Hotstar for AED 29 per month or AED 299 per year, which gives you access to live matches, highlights, and other exclusive content.

IPL Pass on Etisalat

Etisalat, one of the leading telecom providers in the UAE, has partnered with the Star Sports network to offer IPL Passes to their customers. These passes give you access to all IPL matches live on your mobile phone. You can subscribe to the IPL Pass by sending an SMS to 1012 with the keyword “IPL.” The pass costs AED 29 per week or AED 99 per month and is available for both prepaid and postpaid customers.

IPL Pass on du

Du, the other leading telecom provider in the UAE, also offers IPL Passes to their customers. You can subscribe to the IPL Pass by sending an SMS to 1142 with the keyword “IPL.” The pass costs AED 29 per week or AED 99 per month and gives you access to all IPL matches live on your mobile phone.

Online Streaming Services

There are various online streaming services that offer live streaming of IPL matches. One such service is YuppTV, which offers a range of Indian TV channels, including Star Sports. You can subscribe to YuppTV for AED 50 per month and watch IPL matches live on your computer, mobile phone, or TV.

IPL Fan Parks

Another option to watch IPL matches is by visiting one of the IPL Fan Parks in the UAE. These fan parks are set up by the tournament organizers and offer a unique experience for cricket fans. You can watch the matches on big screens and enjoy food and drinks while cheering for your favorite team. The IPL Fan Parks are usually free to enter and located in popular areas such as parks, malls, and stadiums.

IPL and its history

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league that is played in India every year. The tournament was founded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2007 and is currently contested by eight teams representing different cities in India. The league has become one of the most popular sporting events in the world and has attracted top cricket players from around the globe.

The IPL was first introduced as a response to the Indian Cricket League (ICL), a private cricket league that was launched in 2007 by Zee Entertainment Enterprises. The BCCI, which is the governing body for cricket in India, was unhappy with the ICL and banned its players from playing in any official cricket tournaments. In response, the BCCI decided to launch its own professional league, the IPL, as a way to counter the ICL and retain control over Indian cricket.

The first season of the IPL was held in 2008 and consisted of eight teams representing major cities in India. The teams were owned by prominent business figures, Bollywood celebrities, and other investors, and were sold through an auction process. Each team was allowed to sign up to eight international players, along with a mix of domestic and uncapped players.

The tournament format consists of a double round-robin group stage, followed by playoffs and a final. The top four teams from the group stage qualify for the playoffs, which consist of two qualifiers, an eliminator, and a final. The winner of the final is crowned the IPL champion.

Over the years, the IPL has grown in popularity and has become one of the most lucrative cricket tournaments in the world. The league has attracted some of the top cricket players from around the globe, including Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, David Warner, and Shane Watson, among others. The tournament has also been the platform for young Indian players to showcase their talent and make their way to the national team.

The IPL has also been associated with controversies over the years. In 2013, three players were arrested for alleged involvement in spot-fixing and betting during the tournament. The incident led to the suspension of the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals teams for two seasons. The league has also faced criticism over issues such as player workload, commercialization, and conflicts of interest.

Despite the controversies, the IPL remains one of the most exciting cricket tournaments in the world and attracts millions of viewers every year. The league has also been a major boost for the Indian economy, with estimates suggesting that it generates billions of dollars in revenue for the country every year. With its unique format, star-studded teams, and high-octane matches, the IPL has become an integral part of the cricketing landscape in India and around the world.

TATA IPL 2023 Broadcasting Rights in UAE

The broadcasting rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are held by the television channel, beIN Sports. This means that cricket fans in the UAE can watch all the IPL matches live on beIN Sports.

beIN Sports is a popular sports television network in the Middle East and North Africa region, which broadcasts a wide range of sports events including football, cricket, tennis, basketball, and more. The channel has a dedicated cricket section that covers major cricket tournaments from around the world.

To watch the IPL in the UAE, viewers can subscribe to beIN Sports through their cable or satellite TV provider. The channel is available on popular TV networks such as Etisalat, du, and OSN.

In addition to the live broadcast of IPL matches, beIN Sports also provides pre and post-match analysis, highlights, and exclusive interviews with players and coaches. The channel also has a mobile app that allows viewers to watch live matches on their mobile devices, making it convenient for cricket fans to catch all the action on the go.

Apart from beIN Sports, the IPL matches can also be watched online through various streaming platforms. Hotstar, which is the official streaming partner of the IPL in India, also streams the matches live in the UAE. Cricket fans can subscribe to Hotstar and watch all the matches live on their smartphones, tablets, laptops, or smart TVs.

In conclusion, cricket fans in the UAE have multiple options to watch the Indian Premier League. The matches are broadcasted live on beIN Sports, which is available on popular TV networks and also has a mobile app for on-the-go viewing. Additionally, Hotstar, the official streaming partner of the IPL in India, also streams the matches live in the UAE. With these options available, cricket enthusiasts in the UAE can enjoy all the exciting IPL matches from the comfort of their homes or on the go.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, there are several ways to watch IPL matches in the UAE. You can choose from television broadcasts, online streaming services, mobile apps, VPN services, and IPL Fan Parks. Depending on your preference, you can select the most convenient and affordable option to enjoy the excitement of the IPL tournament. With these options available, you can support your favorite team and watch the IPL matches live from the comfort of your home or by joining other cricket fans in the UAE.