How to watch the IPL
in the UAE & Gulf
In the UAE & Gulf, IPL 2026 was shown streaming on Cricbuzz app (free for IPL) and Willow by Cricbuzz.
UAE & Gulf ✓ Confirmed
TechRadar reports IPL 2026 free on the Cricbuzz app in selected MENA countries; Willow by Cricbuzz also sold IPL 2026 subscriptions for MENA.
TechRadar ↗ · Checked 28 Sep 2026
What time the IPL starts in the UAE
IPL 2026’s evening match starts at 7:30 PM IST, which is 6 PM +04 (UAE time). None of the slots below starts between midnight and 7 am in UAE time. Times are for a mid-season date, so they include daylight saving where it applies.
| Slot | IST | UAE time |
|---|---|---|
| Evening match | 7:30 PM | 6 PM +04 |
| Afternoon match (double-header days) | 3:30 PM | 2 PM +04 |
Slots from IPL, BCCI announces schedule for first phase of TATA IPL 2026 (11 Mar 2026) ↗; each match page has its exact time.
Who has shown the IPL in the UAE
In 2014, the IPL in the UAE was on OSN (Middle East); by 2025 it was Streamed on Cricbuzz in the UAE and MENA. The table lists each season we could source from the league’s own broadcaster announcements or a major outlet; seasons not listed aren’t sourced yet.
| Season | Broadcaster | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | OSN (Middle East) | IPL, broadcasters for IPL 2014 (13 Apr 2014) ↗ |
| 2015 | OSN Cricket (Middle East and North Africa) | IPL, Pepsi IPL 2015 broadcasters ↗ |
| 2017 | OSN (MENA countries, UAE included) | IPL, global broadcasters for IPL 2017 ↗ |
| 2018 | beIN Sports; beIN Connect (MENA) | IPL, global broadcasters for IPL 2018 (4 Apr 2018) ↗ |
| 2025 | Streamed on Cricbuzz in the UAE and MENA | Wisden, IPL 2025 where to watch (9 Apr 2025) ↗ |
Questions
Is the IPL free in the UAE?
Yes, for some viewers: TechRadar reports IPL 2026 games were free on the Cricbuzz app in selected MENA countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.