AFC Asian Cup 2019 is heading to kick start with a record for the tournament. The organisers are expecting an unprecedented over 300 million television audience for the opening ceremony of the tournament.

The 17th Edition of the AFC Asian Cup will open in a spectacular style in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on Saturday, January 5. The organisers have promised a once-in-a-lifetime experience and breathtaking live show for thousands of fans in the stadium and millions of viewers around the world.

According to the official release by the Asian Cup 2019 Organizing committee, an estimated audience of 300 million viewers will be captivated as internationally renowned singing sensations from the UAE, Hussain Al Jassmi, Eida Al Menhali and Balqees Ahmed Fathi take to the pitch, surrounded by hundreds of performers as part of a dramatic experience to set the stage for the tournament opener between hosts UAE and Bahrain.

Designed to create and capture the excitement of the biggest ever AFC Asian Cup, the opening ceremony will transform the stadium with a series of live on-pitch music performances in a unique tribute to the excellence of Asian football and the vibrant spirit, colour and atmosphere of the host nation.

Also Read: AFC Asian Cup 2019: Full Schedule, live stream, where to watch

The 51-match tournament, which is being held in the UAE for the second time, will open formally with the three of the host nation’s most acclaimed and beloved singing talents opening the celebrations with tournament theme of “Bringing Asia Together”.

Titled “Zanaha Zayed”, the opening ceremony theme song is written by Arif Al Khaja and composed by Khalid Nasser. Mohammed Darwish Al Zarouni will oversee the spectacle while Roshan Soomarchun directs the dazzling showpiece.

The Local Organising Committee has revealed that 600 skilled performers from the UAE and around the world will participate in the live extravaganza. The troupe will include drummers, Ayalla dancers and origami falcons – all performing to create a series of mesmerising mass choreography formations that promise to bring the stadium and opening ceremony to life.

Sunil Chhetri-led India will begin their campaign against Thailand on Sunday.

India is placed in Group A along with hosts UAE, Thailand & Baharin

After the match against Thailand on January 6, India take on hosts UAE on January 10 and Bahrain on January 14.

CATCH THE INDIA MATCHES LIVE

Star Sports, the official broadcaster of AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 in the Indian subcontinent, will telecast all the India games in English, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, and Malayalam to ensure fans an opportunity to cheer for their team in their preferred language.

This will be the first time that the Blue Tigers’ participation in a major international tournament will be telecast in six languages.

Also Read: Catch India’s AFC Cup matches live in six languages