The ILT20 2025-26 season will start on December 2, 2025 and end with the final on January 4, 2026. The tournament features six teams playing a total of 34 matches across five weeks.
This year brings something special – the league held its first ever player auction instead of the usual draft system.
Let’s explore everything you need to know about this upcoming tournament.
ILT20 2025-26 Tournament Dates and Key Fixtures
The fourth season of the International League T20 is almost here. Cricket fans from around the world are waiting to watch some of the best players compete in the United Arab Emirates.
All matches will take place in three famous cricket stadiums in the UAE: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Complete ILT20 2025-26 Match Schedule
| # | Date | Venue (City) | Fixture | Local | GMT | IST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tue, Dec 2 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 2 | Wed, Dec 3 2025 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah | Sharjah Warriorz vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 3 | Thu, Dec 4 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 4 | Fri, Dec 5 2025 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah | Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 5 | Sat, Dec 6 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 6 | Sun, Dec 7 2025 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah | Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates | 2:00 PM | 10:00 AM | 3:30 PM |
| 7 | Sun, Dec 7 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 8 | Mon, Dec 8 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 9 | Tue, Dec 9 2025 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 10 | Wed, Dec 10 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriorz | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 11 | Thu, Dec 11 2025 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 12 | Fri, Dec 12 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 13 | Sat, Dec 13 2025 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 14 | Sun, Dec 14 2025 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz | 2:00 PM | 10:00 AM | 3:30 PM |
| 15 | Sun, Dec 14 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 16 | Mon, Dec 15 2025 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah | Sharjah Warriorz vs Gulf Giants | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 17 | Tue, Dec 16 2025 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 18 | Wed, Dec 17 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 19 | Thu, Dec 18 2025 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 20 | Fri, Dec 19 2025 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah | Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 21 | Sat, Dec 20 2025 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates | 2:00 PM | 10:00 AM | 3:30 PM |
| 22 | Sat, Dec 20 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Desert Vipers vs Sharjah Warriorz | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 23 | Sun, Dec 21 2025 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah | Gulf Giants vs Dubai Capitals | 2:00 PM | 10:00 AM | 3:30 PM |
| 24 | Sun, Dec 21 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 25 | Mon, Dec 22 2025 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 26 | Tue, Dec 23 2025 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 27 | Wed, Dec 24 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Dubai Capitals vs Sharjah Warriorz | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 28 | Fri, Dec 26 2025 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah | Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 29 | Sat, Dec 27 2025 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 30 | Sun, Dec 28 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Gulf Giants vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| — | Tue, Dec 30 2025 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | Qualifier 1 (TBC vs TBC) | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| — | Thu, Jan 1 2026 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Eliminator (TBC vs TBC) | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| — | Fri, Jan 2 2026 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah | Qualifier 2 (TBC vs TBC) | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
| — | Sun, Jan 4 2026 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | Final (TBC vs TBC) | 6:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 8:00 PM |
The playoff stage includes Qualifier 1 on December 30, the Eliminator on January 1, Qualifier 2 on January 2, and the grand final on January 4.
The tournament will use three main venues across the UAE:
- Dubai International Cricket Stadium – The main venue hosting the opening match and the final, along with many league games.
- Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Home ground for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and MI Emirates, hosting several key matches.
- Sharjah Cricket Stadium – The historic venue known for its excellent atmosphere and high-scoring games.
Most matches start at 6:30 PM local time (8:00 PM IST), making it perfect for fans in India and surrounding regions.
Some weekend matches are scheduled for afternoon starts at 2:00 PM local time (3:30 PM IST), giving fans double-headers to enjoy.
ILT20 2025-26 Auction Results and Player Signings
For the first time in its history, the ILT20 moved from a draft system to a live player auction on October 1, 2025, in Dubai.
Almost 300 players from over 20 countries went under the hammer, making it one of the most-watched auction events in franchise cricket.
Each team entered the auction with $800,000 to spend, adding to whatever remained from their $1.2 million budget for pre-auction signings and retentions.
Teams had to spend at least $1.5 million in total, with a maximum limit of $2 million.
They could also sign up to two wildcard players outside the auction for an additional $250,000.
The auction included some surprising results. Former Indian cricket star Ravichandran Ashwin entered with the highest base price of $120,000 but went unsold.
This shocked many fans as Ashwin had recently retired from international cricket and the IPL, making the ILT20 his potential first overseas T20 league.
Top 5 Most Expensive Players In The ILT20 2025-26 Auction
Here are the five biggest purchases from the auction:
| Player Name | Team Signed | Role | Auction Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Fletcher | MI Emirates | WK-Batsman | $260,000 |
| Scott Currie | Dubai Capitals | Bowling Allrounder | $250,000 |
| Liam Dawson | Gulf Giants | Bowling Allrounder | $170,000 |
| Junaid Siddique | Sharjah Warriorz | Bowler | $170,000 (RTM) |
| Md Rohid Khan | MI Emirates | Bowler | $140,000 (RTM) |
Andre Fletcher from the West Indies became the most expensive player, showing MI Emirates’ commitment to aggressive batting at the top of the order.
Scott Currie’s surprise price tag made him the second most expensive, proving that fast bowlers who performed well in England’s domestic cricket remain highly valued.
The use of Right To Match cards by Sharjah Warriorz and MI Emirates showed teams wanted to keep their local UAE talent.
Pakistani players like Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah were both sold for $80,000, while experienced players like Tymal Mills and Nathan Sowter also found good deals.
However, big names like Jason Roy, Temba Bavuma, and Shakib Al Hasan went unsold, showing how tough the auction market can be.
ILT20 Past Year Winners
The International League T20 (ILT20) is a professional franchise cricket league based in the United Arab Emirates. It has successfully completed three seasons since its inauguration.
| Season | Year | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2023 | Gulf Giants | Desert Vipers |
| 2nd | 2024 | MI Emirates | Dubai Capitals |
| 3rd | 2025 | Dubai Capitals | Desert Vipers |
The most recent champions are the Dubai Capitals, who won their maiden title in the 2025 season.
ILT20 Squads
Each team had to build squads with specific requirements. They need at least 19 players and can have up to 21 in their final squad.
The rules require at least 11 players from Full Member cricket nations, four players from the UAE (including one Under-23 player), one player from Kuwait, one from Saudi Arabia, and two from other Associate cricket nations.
Dubai Capitals
Batters: Leus du Plooy, Sediqullah Atal, Usman Najeeb, Ritesh Grandhi, Toby Albert, Rovman Powell
All-rounders: Gulbadin Naib, James Neesham, Navin Bidaisee, Scott Currie, David Willey, Mohammad Nabi
Wicket-keepers: Shayan Jahangir, Jordan Cox
Bowlers: Farhan Khan, Muhammad Jawadullah, Rushil Ugarkar, Akshay Wakhare, Haider Ali, Waqar Salamkheil, Anudeep Chenthamara, Muhammad Farooq, Tymal Mills
Desert Vipers
Batters: Fakhar Zaman, Max Holden, Hasan Nawaz, Shimron Hetmyer, Dan Lawrence, Tawanda Muyeye, Bilal Tahir, Faisal Khan
All-rounders: Tom Bruce, Sam Curran, Sanjay Pahal
Wicket-keepers: Andries Gous, Vriitya Aravind
Bowlers: Naseem Shah, Lockie Ferguson, David Payne, Qais Ahmad, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Matiullah Khan, Noor Ahmad
Sharjah Warriorz
Batters: Ethan DSouza, Tim David
All-rounders: Tom Abell, Sikandar Raza, Shubham Ranjane, Mohammed Aslam, Dwaine Pretorius, Harmeet Singh
Wicket-keepers: Johnson Charles, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, James Rew, Dinesh Karthik
Bowlers: Tim Southee, Adil Rashid, Junaid Siddique, Saurabh Netravalkar, Jayden Seales, Richard Ngarava, Taskin Ahmed, Nathan Sowter, Abdul Salman Khan, Raees Ahmed Ayan, Wasim Akram
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
Batters: Alex Hales, Adnan Idrees
All-rounders: Alishan Sharafu, Brandon McMullen, Liam Livingstone, Sherfane Rutherford, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Shadley van Schalkwyk
Wicket-keepers: Philip Salt, Michael-Kyle Pepper, Unmukt Chand, Abdul Manan Ali
Bowlers: Olly Stone, Piyush Chawla, George Garton, Khary Pierre, Ajay Kumar
Gulf Giants
Batters: James Vince (Captain), Asif Khan, Sean Dickson
All-rounders: Moeen Ali, Gerhard Erasmus, Kyle Mayers, Aayan Afzal Khan, Liam Dawson, Haider Razzaq, Azmatullah Omarzai
Wicket-keepers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Lorcan Tucker, Tom Moores, Meet Bhavsar
Bowlers: Mark Adair, Tabraiz Shamsi, Blessing Muzarabani, Matthew Forde, Chris Wood, Ramon Simmonds, Fred Klaassen, Ishtiaq Ahmad, Muhammad Zuhaib
MI Emirates
Batters: Muhammad Waseem, Ackeem Auguste
All-rounders: Shakib Al Hasan, Kamindu Mendis, Arab Gul Momand, Romario Shepherd, Jordan Thompson, Chris Woakes, Tajinder Dhillon
Wicket-keepers: Jonny Bairstow, Andre Fletcher, Tom Banton
Bowlers: AM Ghazanfar, Nosthush Kenjige, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mohamed Shafeeq, Zain Ul Abidin, Zahoor Khan
Team Analysis, Strengths, and Season Predictions
MI Emirates look like strong favorites with their balanced squad featuring Andre Fletcher, Jonny Bairstow, and experienced all-rounders.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have the most explosive batting lineup with Alex Hales, Philip Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Andre Russell.
Gulf Giants remain competitive under James Vince’s leadership with quality bowling options.
Dubai Capitals made smart buys with Scott Currie adding pace, while Sharjah Warriorz invested heavily in local talent Junaid Siddique.
Rising UAE stars Muhammad Rohid Khan, Junaid Siddique, and Shayan Jahangir could make their mark this season.
ILT20 2025-26 Official Broadcast and Streaming Guide
Here are the streaming options for ILT20:
| Country | TV Channels |
|---|---|
| India | Zee TV, Zee TV HD, Sony Six, Sony Six HD |
| Bangladesh | T Sports |
| Sri Lanka | Supreme TV, Sony Six, Sony Six HD |
| UK | Zee TV, BT Sport |
| USA | Willow TV |
| Pakistan | ARY ZAP, A Sports, PTV Sports, Geo Super, TAPMAD |
| Australia | Fox Sport, Tapmad TV, Channel 9 |
| South Africa | Supersport |
| MENA | Abu Dhabi TV, Dubai TV |
| Caribbean | SportsMax |
| New Zealand | Sky Sports NZ |
| Canada | Willow TV |
| Nepal | Sony Six (Sim TV Nepal, Net TV Nepal) |
| Maldives | Sonysix (MediaNet) |
India Viewing Options
Cricket fans in India can watch all matches on Zee Network channels. The broadcast will be available on Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema, and other Zee Entertainment channels.
For online streaming, Zee5 app and website will show every match live. The platform offers multiple language options including Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, making it easy for fans across India to enjoy the tournament.
UAE and MENA Region
Local fans in the United Arab Emirates can watch on Dubai TV and Abu Dhabi TV.
The matches will also stream live on the ILT20 Official YouTube Channel and MYCO platform. This ensures fans in the host country have easy access to watch their home tournament.
Global Coverage
Fans in the United Kingdom and Europe can watch on Samsung TV Plus and Rakuten TV. Viewers in Pakistan can stream matches on TAPMAD. In Nepal, Styx Sports will broadcast the tournament.
Afghanistan viewers can watch on Ariana Radio and TV Network. For fans in other parts of the world, the “ILT20 on Zee” YouTube channel will provide live streaming.
The United States and Canada can watch through Willow TV, which carries most major cricket tournaments for North American audiences.
Related Reads:
Related Reads:
Conclusion: The ILT20 2025-26 Season Brings Changes With Its First Auction Format
From December 2 to January 4, the ILT20 will showcase top quality T20 cricket in the heart of the UAE. Teams have built fresh squads with interesting combinations of experienced stars and young talent.
The tournament runs through the holiday season, giving fans plenty of cricket to enjoy. With six teams, three venues, and viewing options worldwide, this season promises great entertainment.
The shift from draft to auction has added extra excitement, and fans will be watching to see which new signings perform best.
FAQ
The final match will be played on January 4, 2026, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Dubai Capitals won the ILT20 Season 3 title in 2025, defeating Desert Vipers. Before that, MI Emirates won Season 2 in 2024, and Gulf Giants won the first season in 2023.
Teams must include at least two UAE players in their playing eleven for each match. However, squads must have four UAE players total, including one Under-23 player.
In India, watch on Zee Network TV channels or stream on Zee5. UAE viewers can watch on Dubai TV, Abu Dhabi TV, or the ILT20 YouTube channel. Global streaming options include Willow TV (USA/Canada), Samsung TV Plus (UK/Europe), and TAPMAD (Pakistan).
Leave a Comment