Grassroots Cricket Grows Across Saudi Arabia

Oct 27, 2026•2 min read

Grassroots cricket is growing quickly across Saudi Arabia, with school, academy, community and tournament programs now running in الرياض, جدة, الدمام and other cities. The expansion is opening the sport to players of different ages and skill levels nationwide.

At the top of the pyramid, the National Cricket Championship brings together roughly 7,500 players across 405 teams and 14 regional associations, with about 1,160 matches staged on 101 grounds. School pathways now include cricket for boys and girls, alongside under-16 and under-19 competitions that help nurture younger talent.

Where to play

Several clubs offer accessible training options. In جدة, the Net Indoor Cricket Academy lists structured training at 300 ريال سعودي. Champions Cricket Club in جدة lists hardball nets at 50 ريال سعودي, tapeball nets at 100 ريال سعودي, and a 50 ريال سعودي per hour morning special available from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

In Thuwal, KAUST Cricket Club runs Tuesday adult sessions from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Astro-2, near the Racquet Club. Annual membership is 100 ريال سعودي, while non-members pay 50 ريال سعودي. The club’s children’s and beginners’ academy is free for ages 6 to 16 and runs on Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the same venue.

The spread of affordable and free sessions matters for residents and expat communities who have long followed the sport, offering more structured ways to train, compete and connect locally. There is no verified national registration fee, permit, or unified academy pricing that applies specifically to grassroots cricket.

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates: