Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Schedule 2026: ADKR Fixtures, Players & Season 5 Updates

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders schedule 2026 will form part of DP World International League T20 Season 5, which runs in the United Arab Emirates from 22 November to 20 December 2026.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, commonly known as ADKR, return after reaching Qualifier 2 in Season 4. The franchise is now preparing for Season 5 under head coach Dwayne Bravo.

The complete ADKR match-by-match schedule, including opponents, dates, venues and start times, has not yet been reliably confirmed as of 6 September 2026.

The team’s first four confirmed Season 5 players are Finn Allen, Jason Holder, Matthew Tromp and Sunil Narine.

The overall Season 5 dates are confirmed, but the complete Abu Dhabi Knight Riders fixture list has not yet been reliably released.

For accuracy, individual match dates should remain marked as to be announced until the full Season 5 schedule is confirmed.

ADKR will compete against the other five ILT20 franchises during Season 5.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will play their Season 5 matches during the overall tournament window from 22 November to 20 December 2026.

The exact ADKR opening match, final league match and individual playoff dates depend on the complete fixture release and whether the team qualifies for the postseason.

The Knight Riders represent Abu Dhabi, with Zayed Cricket Stadium strongly associated with the franchise.

However, ILT20 teams also play fixtures across Dubai and Sharjah. The full Season 5 venue allocation should therefore be checked before assuming that every ADKR-designated home fixture will take place in Abu Dhabi.

The complete ADKR Season 5 match timings have not yet been reliably confirmed.

Previous ILT20 editions have included both afternoon and evening games, but historical start times should not automatically be copied onto the 2026 schedule.

ADKR have currently confirmed four players for Season 5.

New Zealand batter Finn Allen is set to make his first ILT20 appearance with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.

Jason Holder returns after joining ADKR as a wildcard during Season 4, while Sunil Narine continues his long association with the Knight Riders franchise family.

The full squad will be built around these players during the October auction and subsequent permitted squad additions.

See:

ILT20 Squads 2026 – Complete Player Updates

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain for Season 5 has not yet been officially confirmed.

Jason Holder captained ADKR during important parts of Season 4, including the playoff stage, while Sunil Narine also performed leadership duties during the campaign.

Neither previous leadership role should automatically be treated as confirmation of the Season 5 captaincy.

West Indies great Dwayne Bravo is the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders head coach.

Bravo guided ADKR during their improved Season 4 campaign, when they progressed from fourth place in the league stage to Qualifier 2.

ADKR produced a much stronger campaign in Season 4, qualifying for the playoffs after finishing fourth in the league table.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders entered the Season 4 playoffs in fourth place and produced an impressive Eliminator victory before their run ended in Qualifier 2.

In the Eliminator, ADKR scored 158/7 before bowling Dubai Capitals out for 108.

Michael Pepper scored 72, while Sunil Narine and Jason Holder played major roles with the ball.

The following day, MI Emirates restricted ADKR to 120/8 in Qualifier 2 and chased the target with seven wickets remaining, ending the Knight Riders’ title challenge.

Because both editions touch the calendar year 2026, it is important to distinguish between the completed Season 4 and the upcoming Season 5.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will complete most of their Season 5 squad construction at the Player Auction in Dubai on 1 October 2026.

The franchise currently has four confirmed players, with additional local and overseas players still to be selected.

Season 5 public ticket sales and match-specific ADKR ticket prices have not yet been confirmed.

Fans should wait until the full fixture list and authorised Season 5 ticket information are available before purchasing tickets for a specific Abu Dhabi Knight Riders match.

See our

ILT20 Tickets 2026 guide

for the latest ticket-sale information.

When does Abu Dhabi Knight Riders play in 2026?

ADKR will compete during ILT20 Season 5 from 22 November to 20 December 2026. Their exact opening match date is still to be announced.

Is the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 2026 schedule announced?

The overall tournament dates are confirmed, but the complete ADKR match-by-match schedule has not yet been reliably confirmed.

Who are the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders players in 2026?

The four currently confirmed players are Finn Allen, Jason Holder, Matthew Tromp and Sunil Narine.

Who is the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain in 2026?

The Season 5 captain has not yet been officially announced.

Who is the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders coach?

Dwayne Bravo is the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders head coach.

Who owns Abu Dhabi Knight Riders?

The franchise is owned by the Knight Riders Group.

Where do Abu Dhabi Knight Riders play?

ADKR represent Abu Dhabi and are closely associated with Zayed Cricket Stadium. ILT20 fixtures can also be scheduled at venues in Dubai and Sharjah.

How did ADKR perform in Season 4?

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders finished fourth in the league stage with 4 wins, 6 losses and 8 points. They defeated Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator before losing to MI Emirates in Qualifier 2.

Has Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won the ILT20?

No. ADKR are still searching for their first ILT20 championship.

When is the ADKR Player Auction?

The Season 5 Player Auction will take place on 1 October 2026.

When is the ILT20 2026 Final?

The Season 5 final is scheduled for 20 December 2026 at Dubai International Stadium.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders enter Season 5 after their strongest recent playoff run, having reached Qualifier 2 in January 2026.

The franchise has already confirmed Finn Allen, Jason Holder, Matthew Tromp and Sunil Narine as the initial core for the upcoming tournament, with Dwayne Bravo continuing as head coach.

The next major squad update will come through the 1 October Player Auction.

The major schedule information still pending is the ADKR opening match, complete fixture dates, opponents, venues and match timings.

This page will continue to track the latest Abu Dhabi Knight Riders schedule 2026, ADKR fixtures, players, captain, venues and Season 5 updates.