Why was IPL 2014 partially held in the UAE?


IPL 2023 Winner

the IPL 2014 edition — another year where the league packed its bags and went international ✈️🏏
This time it was the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hosting the party (well, the first half of it). But why?

🕵️‍♂️ Why was IPL 2014 partially held in the UAE?

🗳️ 1. General Elections in India... again!

  • India’s Lok Sabha elections were scheduled during April-May 2014 — the exact window of IPL.

  • Just like in 2009, the Indian government said it couldn't guarantee full security for IPL matches and the nationwide election process at the same time.

🌍 2. UAE Offered a Quick, Cricket-Ready Solution

  • The BCCI decided to shift the first 20 matches (roughly the first 2 weeks) to the UAE.

  • Why UAE?

    • Multiple international-standard stadiums (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah)

    • Massive Indian and South Asian expat population

    • Short travel distances between venues = smooth logistics

    • Close time zone for Indian TV audiences

📆 How It Played Out:

Phase Location Dates
Phase 1 UAE April 16 – April 30
Phase 2 India May 2 – June 1 (Playoffs + Final)

  • So technically, IPL 2014 was split between two countries:
    🇦🇪 UAE for the start, 🇮🇳 India for the finish.

🔥 Fan & Player Reactions:

  • UAE fans turned out in full force — packed stadiums, crazy chants, full IPL vibes.

  • Players loved the outfields and conditions.

  • It was smooth enough that the IPL would return to the UAE again in later years — notably during COVID-affected seasons in 2020 and 2021.

🧠 TL;DR:

IPL 2014 started in the UAE because India’s general elections meant security forces couldn’t cover both the voting process and the IPL at once. The BCCI moved the first phase to the UAE to keep the tournament running on schedule.

Want a breakdown of how each team performed in the UAE leg? Or how UAE helped build the case for IPL’s global expansion? Let’s gooo 😎