ILT20 Season 5 to start on November 22, final in Dubai

ILT20 Chief Executive David White says previous season witnessed strong growth in terms of viewership, fan engagement and participation of leading international players, contributing to the league’s rising profile

DUBAI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-April 13rd, 2026) The fifth edition of the UAE’s International League T20 will begin on November 22 and conclude on December 20, maintaining its 34-match structure, organisers announced on Monday.

ILT20 Chief Executive David White said the previous season witnessed strong growth in terms of viewership, fan engagement and participation of leading international players, contributing to the league’s rising profile.

He added that the tournament continues to expand through strategic partnerships with regional cricket bodies, including collaborations in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which will be further strengthened through development events ahead of the new season.

The tournament will feature 30 league-stage matches followed by four playoff fixtures, with matches scheduled to take place in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

The final will once again be held in Dubai, continuing the tradition of previous editions.

The league window has been moved further forward in the Calendar. After previously shifting from January-February to December-January, the upcoming season will now start in November. Officials said the change has been made to avoid overlapping with other major franchise leagues, including SA20, which is scheduled to begin in January.

An auction will be held ahead of the tournament to allow franchises to finalise their squads. The six participating teams include Desert Vipers, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals, Sharjah Warriorz, and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.

Among them, Desert Vipers, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Dubai Capitals have previously secured the league title, setting up expectations for another competitive season.