Baseball United, the pioneering professional baseball league centered on the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, has announced that its upcoming UAE Series will be broadcast through 17 official partners, reaching over 170 countries across six continents. This historic three-game series will showcase Baseball United’s two UAE-based teams competing for the first time.
Leading the linear broadcast platforms is MBC, the largest media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), which operates over 20 free-to-air TV channels and radio stations, including Saudi Arabia’s prominent sports channel, Saudi Sports Company (SSC). The UAE Series will be aired on SSC3 in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Dubai Sports Channel will broadcast the games locally in Dubai, marking the first instance of baseball being featured on this network.
On the digital front, DAZN, a leading global sports entertainment platform available in over 200 markets, will ensure worldwide accessibility to the series. In the MENA region, Starzplay will provide coverage via Starzplay Sports, with games also accessible through STARZ ON, the platform’s pay-per-view and on-demand service.
Major League Baseball (MLB) will stream the three-game series on its flagship platform, MLB.TV. Notably, Baseball United’s ownership group includes 20 current and former MLB stars, such as Hall of Famers Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera, and Adrian Beltre. Co-owner and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols will serve as a color commentator during the broadcasts.
In Pakistan, A Sports, the nation’s first HD sports channel under the ARY Digital Network, will broadcast the games on their linear channel and offer additional coverage on their free digital platform, ARY ZAP. Tapmad, a leading OTT platform in Pakistan, will further enhance digital access. The sport has seen rapid growth in Pakistan, the world’s fifth most populous country, following the national team’s victory in the inaugural Baseball United Arab Classic tournament last November.
Japan’s Tokyo Broadcasting System’s TV Sports channel, reaching over 400,000 subscribers, will cover the series. The games will feature three Japanese players: Shuhei Fukuda with the Arabia Wolves, and Shingo Hirata and Kodai Hamaya with the Mid East Falcons.
Other broadcasters include Africa XP and Startimes in Sub-Saharan Africa, Sportsmax in the Caribbean, and beIN Sports in the U.S. and Canada. For those unable to access these platforms, Baseball United will stream the games free of charge on their official website, in collaboration with Signature Productions. Play-by-play veteran Joey Zanaboni will join Albert Pujols in the broadcast booth for all three games. The UAE Series is set to take place at Baseball United’s newly established ballpark, the first professional baseball field in the region.
Kash Shaikh, Baseball United’s Chairman, CEO, and Majority Owner, expressed enthusiasm about the global reach, stating, “We continue to be blown away by broadcasters’ appetite for international baseball.” He emphasized that with the support of broadcast partners, awareness and engagement in both the sport and the league are poised to grow.baseballunited.com
Limited tickets for the UAE Series are still available. For more information about Baseball United and ticket purchases, visit their official website.