<p>The Arab region, where the majority of the world’s date palm cultivation area is located, faces the dual challenge of limited water resources and the high irrigation requirements of date palms. Over the past four decades, numerous studies have addressed this challenge, expanding knowledge on date palm irrigation. However, no recent comprehensive review has consolidated this knowledge. This study aims to address this gap by analysing date palm irrigation in the Arab region, with a focus on the key factors affecting irrigation needs, current challenges, and sustainable management strategies. This analysis revealed three key findings. First, the annual irrigation water requirements of date palms range from 2,490 to 42,600&#xa0;m³ ha⁻¹, depending on local climate, irrigation method, soil texture, palm age, and water quality, with projections suggesting a 25% increase by 2050 due to climate change. Second, subsurface drip irrigation emerges as an imperative measure for addressing water scarcity, capable of reducing annual water use by 40% while maintaining yields. Additionally, date palms themselves can contribute to sustainable irrigation management alongside other adaptation measures such as optimal use of saline water, sustainable soil management, and better adaptation to extreme climate events. Finally, although irrigation management has improved in modern Arabian date palm farms, significant knowledge gaps remain, particularly concerning the effects of climate change on water requirements, the small-scale scope of most studies, and the limited application of artificial intelligence (AI) in precision irrigation. Further research is therefore needed to assess climate impacts on irrigation needs, conduct large-scale analyses, and explore AI-based solutions to optimise water use across the region.</p>