Baseball United, the pioneering professional baseball league targeting the Middle East and South Asia, has unveiled its blueprint to erect the region's inaugural professional baseball stadium. This groundbreaking facility will be integrated into The Sevens sports and entertainment hub, situated along Al-Ain Road (E66), a brief commute from central Dubai. This landmark stadium will not only mark the first of its kind in the UAE and GCC but will also stand as the sole professional baseball venue spanning over 10,000 km from Morocco in North Africa to India, Bangladesh, and various nations in Southwest Asia.
Currently under discussion for naming rights, the Baseball United Ballpark will boast a dual fiber synthetic turf, complemented by an organic infill and geotextile fabric designed to withstand Dubai's sweltering temperatures. The stadium's lighting will be powered by an advanced LED system, producing over 15 million lumens distributed across eight towers and 94 fixtures, incorporating the latest BallTracker® technology. The seating arrangement, adaptable and modular, will accommodate up to 6,500 spectators. Baseball United plans to install above-ground dugouts, foul lines, foul poles, and a high-quality netting system, alongside a cutting-edge LED content wall and a traditional scoreboard reminiscent of 19th-century American professional games.
The stadium will feature four distinct seating areas: the ultra-premium Diamond Club, the Infield Boxes with optimal views, the budget-friendly Outfield Boxes, and the exclusive VVIP On-Field Cabanas. Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Baseball United, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Our league has united numerous influential elements to propel baseball into becoming the next major sport in the Middle East and South Asia. We've diligently assembled the finest aspects of baseball to Dubai, and the only element missing was a dedicated home. We envisioned a genuine, purpose-built baseball stadium that could serve as the catalyst for professional baseball across the region."
The stadium's layout mirrors that of the iconic Yankee Stadium, with left field measuring 318 feet (97 m), right field at 314 feet (96 m), and center field extending to 408 feet (124 m). The field will bear the name of Major League Baseball legend and Baseball United Co-Founder and Board Member, Barry Larkin. Larkin expressed his honor, saying, "It's a dream realized to see this league come to fruition with Kash, John, and the entire Baseball United team. Having our own field and stadium is phenomenal, and I eagerly anticipate stepping onto it later this year."
The Baseball United Ballpark will adjoin the cricket fields at The Sevens, establishing the region's sole combined bat and ball complex. Mathew Tait, General Manager of Emirates Dubai 7s & The Sevens Stadium, shared his excitement, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Baseball United to make history in Dubai once more. Integrating baseball into our venue aligns seamlessly with our goal to position The Sevens as the leading multi-sport destination in the region. We are eager to commence 'playing ball' in Dubai."
