2025 Asia Cup Schedule: Full Match Dates, Venues, and Time Table

Few cricket tournaments stir as much anticipation as the Asia Cup, and the 2025 edition brings a fresh twist: it’s the first time the competition is played entirely as a standalone Twenty20 International event, moving away from the ODI format that defined previous editions. With the tournament set to run from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, fans can expect a faster, more explosive brand of cricket across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Here’s everything you need to know about the schedule, teams, and what this format shift means for the game.

Start date: September 9, 2025 ·
End date: September 28, 2025 ·
Host country: United Arab Emirates ·
Format: Twenty20 International (T20I) ·
Number of teams: 8 ·
Venues: Abu Dhabi (Sheikh Zayed Stadium), Dubai (Dubai International Cricket Stadium)

Six key facts capture the tournament’s shape, from dates to defending champion.

What is the full schedule of the 2025 Asia Cup?

Group stage matches

• Match 1: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong – September 9, 2025 (Sporting News)
• Match 2: India vs UAE – September 10, 2025 (Sporting News)
• Match 3: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong – September 11, 2025 (Sporting News)
• Match 4: Pakistan vs Oman – date TBC (Sporting News)

The tournament runs from September 9 to September 28, 2025, with all matches played in T20I format at two venues: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi (capacity 20,000, hosting 8 matches) and Dubai International Cricket Stadium (capacity 25,000, hosting 11 matches) (Wikipedia).

Semi-finals

• Semi-final 1: September 15, 2025 – venue TBC
• Semi-final 2: September 16, 2025 – venue TBC

Final

• September 28, 2025 – venue TBC (Wikipedia)

The pattern is clear: a compact group stage that rewards adaptability, followed by a week-long gap before the final, which could be a strategic advantage for teams that manage their bowling resources well.

Which teams are competing in the Asia Cup 2025?

Group A teams

• India (Sporting News)
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka
• Bangladesh

Group B teams

• Afghanistan
• Nepal
• UAE (Sporting News)
• Oman

Eight teams were confirmed for the tournament, divided into two groups of four (Wikipedia). India enter as defending champions from the 2023 edition.

The distribution of teams across groups sets up contrasting styles of play and could lead to early upsets in Group B.

What is the Asia Cup 2025 points table?

Group A standings

• Top two teams advance to semi-finals (Wikipedia)
• Points table updates after each match

Group B standings

• Top two teams advance to semi-finals
• Points table updates after each match

The points table will be updated after every match throughout the tournament (Wikipedia). The top two teams from each group qualify for the semi-finals, creating high stakes for every group-stage fixture.

The catch: with only four group matches per team, one bad performance can eliminate a strong side. Expect aggressive batting from the start, as net run rate could decide semi-final berths.

How can I watch the Asia Cup 2025 live?

TV broadcasters by country

• India: Star Sports network
• Pakistan: PTV Sports and Ten Sports
• Bangladesh: Gazi TV
• Sri Lanka: Dialog TV
• UAE: Abu Dhabi Media
• Other regions: Willow TV (USA), Sky Sports (UK)

Live streaming platforms

• India: Hotstar
• Pakistan: Tapmad
• Bangladesh: Rabbithole
• USA: Willow TV app
• Other: Official ACC streaming platforms

Broadcast rights for the 2025 Asia Cup are held by major sports networks across Asia (BCCI (official sports body)). Streaming will be available on platforms like Hotstar, Willow, and regional services.

This disparity means fans in emerging cricketing nations often rely on less stable third-party streams, which can affect viewing experience.

When is the next Asia Cup after 2025?

Asia Cup 2026

• Women’s Asia Cup may be held in 2026

Asia Cup 2027

• Next men’s Asia Cup scheduled for 2027 (Wikipedia)
• Format TBC

After the 2025 edition, the next men’s Asia Cup is expected in 2027, while the Women’s Asia Cup may return to the calendar in 2026 (Wikipedia). The exact format and host for future editions remain unconfirmed.

This signals a strategic shift by the ACC to build consistent audience engagement and capitalize on the T20 format’s growing popularity.

Timeline signal

• September 9, 2025 – 1st Match, Group B: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong (Abu Dhabi) (Sporting News)
• September 10, 2025 – 2nd Match, Group A: India vs UAE (Dubai) (Sporting News)
• September 11–14, 2025 – Group stage matches continue (Wikipedia)
• September 28, 2025 – Final (Wikipedia)

Key dates are drawn from the official schedule. The timeline shows a concentrated group stage and a 12-day gap before the final — an unusual spacing that could influence team preparation.

Confirmed facts

• Tournament dates: September 9–28, 2025 (Wikipedia)
• Host: UAE (Wikipedia)
• Format: T20I (Wikipedia)
• 8 teams confirmed (Sporting News)
• Venues: Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sheikh Zayed Stadium (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

• Exact match timings (local time) may vary – refer to official sources
• Broadcast and streaming rights for specific regions not fully confirmed
• Detailed semi-final and final venue allocations TBC
• Prize money for the 2025 Asia Cup has not been officially confirmed
• No official warm-up matches have been announced
• Host and format for the 2027 Asia Cup remain unconfirmed

The ACC has not yet released a detailed match schedule with exact local timings, meaning fans should check official sources close to the tournament date for precise kick-off times.

What’s next

For cricket fans in Asia, the 2025 Asia Cup is more than a tournament — it’s a signal of where the sport is heading. The shift to a standalone T20 format means teams will prioritize power-hitting and fast bowling, and the compact schedule rewards squads with depth. For the ACC, the choice is clear: embrace the T20 revolution fully, or watch the tournament’s relevance fade against the IPL and other franchise leagues.

Frequently asked questions