Cricket fans in the Gulf region have a reason to smile this season. A popular T20 league has shared its plans, and excitement is building fast.
ILT20 2026 Full Schedule at a Glance
The International League T20 has announced the schedule for its fifth season. The tournament begins on November 21, 2026, and ends with the final on December 20.
The event will last 30 days and include 34 matches. Each of the six teams will play ten league matches. The top four teams in the standings will qualify for the playoffs.
Teams Taking Part in Season 5
Six teams will compete for the trophy in this fifth season. They are Desert Vipers, MI Emirates, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, Sharjah Warriorz, and Gulf Giants.
Defending champions Desert Vipers will open their title defense against MI Emirates. That opening match starts at 6:30 PM local time at Dubai International Stadium on November 21.
Key Dates, Venues, and Match Details
Dubai International Stadium will host the most games, with 15 fixtures. Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi will host 11 matches. Sharjah Cricket Stadium will stage the other 8 matches of the season.
The second day, November 22, brings a double-header. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders play their first home match against MI Emirates on November 26.
A special double-header on December 2 will celebrate UAE National Day. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders meet Desert Vipers at 2:00 PM in Abu Dhabi. Dubai Capitals then face MI Emirates at 6:30 PM in Dubai.
| # | date | matches | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21-Nov | Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 2 | 22-Nov | Sharjah Warriors vs Gulf Giants | 2:00pm | Sharjah |
| 3 | 22-Nov | Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 4 | 23-Nov | Sharjah Warriors vs Desert Vipers | 6:30pm | Sharjah |
| 5 | 24-Nov | Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 6 | 25-Nov | Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 7 | 26-Nov | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates | 6:30pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 8 | 27-Nov | Sharjah Warriors vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30pm | Sharjah |
| 9 | 28-Nov | MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers | 2:00pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 10 | 28-Nov | Gulf Giants vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 11 | 29-Nov | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriors | 2:00pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 12 | 29-Nov | Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 13 | 30-Nov | MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 14 | 01-Dec | Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriors | 6:30pm | Sharjah |
| 15 | 02-Dec | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers | 2:00pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 16 | 02-Dec | Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 17 | 03-Dec | Gulf Giants vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 18 | 04-Dec | Desert Vipers vs Sharjah Warriors | 6:30pm | Sharjah |
| 19 | 05-Dec | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants | 6:30pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 20 | 06-Dec | MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriors | 2:00pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 21 | 06-Dec | Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 22 | 07-Dec | MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants | 6:30pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 23 | 08-Dec | Dubai Capitals vs Sharjah Warriors | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 24 | 09-Dec | Sharjah Warriors vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30pm | Sharjah |
| 25 | 10-Dec | Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 26 | 11-Dec | Sharjah Warriors vs MI Emirates | 6:30pm | Sharjah |
| 27 | 12-Dec | Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 28 | 13-Dec | MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals | 2:00pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 29 | 13-Dec | Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 30 | 14-Dec | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 31 | 16-Dec | Qualifier 1: Seed 1 vs Seed 2 | 6:30pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 32 | 17-Dec | Eliminator: Seed 3 vs Seed 4 | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 33 | 18-Dec | Qualifier 2: Loser of Q1 vs Winner of Eliminator | 6:30pm | Sharjah |
| 34 | 20-Dec | Final: Winner of Q1 vs Winner of Q2 | 6:30pm | Dubai |
Playoffs and the Grand Final
The league stage will run through December 14 before the playoffs begin. Four playoff matches will decide the champion. The final takes place at Dubai International Stadium on December 20 at 6:30 PM.
Fans can use this ILT20 2026 Full Schedule to plan their match days. The official list gives dates, venues, and match details for all 34 games.