Saudi Cricket and FairBreak have taken a groundbreaking step by announcing a new professional women’s cricket tournament set to debut in Saudi Arabia in 2026. The Women’s World T20 Challenge represents a landmark in the region’s sporting landscape as the first-ever professional women’s cricket event in the Kingdom, backed by a five-year partnership that promises at least five seasons of top-level competition.
This tournament aims to showcase global talent by featuring players from over 35 countries, reflecting FairBreak’s ongoing commitment to gender equality in sport. Since its founding in 2013, FairBreak has actively championed women’s cricket through its flagship events, including the FairBreak Global Invitational T20 held in 2022 in Dubai and 2023 in Hong Kong.
Despite the planned 2023 USA edition being postponed and ultimately shelved, this new alliance with Saudi Cricket marks a significant escalation in FairBreak’s mission by staking a presence in a vibrant emerging market.
The Women’s World T20 Challenge will align closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the ambitious national reform program aiming to diversify the economy and promote social development, including women’s empowerment through sport.
Saudi Cricket and FairBreak emphasise that the league will focus on nurturing talent with structured training programs and pathways, raising awareness to inspire the next generation of female cricketers in Saudi Arabia and beyond. It also seeks to foster international collaboration, solidifying Saudi Arabia’s standing on the global cricket map.
Saudi Arabia’s cricket credentials have been rising steadily. The country hosted the IPL auction in Jeddah in 2024 and is preparing to host several matches in future seasons of the ILT20. Moreover, Saudi Arabia is keen on supporting a new Grand Slam-style T20 circuit, signaling its strategic intent to become a key player in international cricket.
The FairBreak Invitational’s previous editions featured marquee stars such as Chamari Athapaththu, Sophie Ecclestone, Laura Wolvaardt, and Marizanne Kapp, attracting worldwide attention. However, the absence of Indian players due to the BCCI’s refusal to issue No Objection Certificates remains a notable gap. Current details about Indian player participation in the new Saudi event remain uncertain.
With this announcement, Saudi Arabia steps onto the global stage of women’s cricket with a bold and inclusive tournament that promises to elevate the sport across continents while aligning with social and cultural progress in the region. The Women’s World T20 Challenge is set to become a key fixture in the international women’s cricket calendar, spotlighting emerging talent and bridging cricket cultures worldwide.
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