Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Schedule 2026: ADKR Fixtures, Players & Season 5 Updates
Last updated: 18 October 2026
The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders schedule 2026 is now fully confirmed for DP World ILT20 Season 5. ADKR will play 10 league matches between 22 November and 14 December 2026, with six of those fixtures scheduled in Abu Dhabi, three in Dubai and one in Sharjah.
The franchise also enters the new season with a rebuilt 22-player post-auction squad. That makes this page materially different from the earlier pre-auction version: the dates, opponents, venues, match times and player list are no longer placeholders.
ILT20 Season 5 runs from 21 November to 20 December 2026. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders begin one day after the tournament opener, facing Dubai Capitals on 22 November at Dubai International Stadium.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Schedule 2026 at a Glance
| Team | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders |
|---|---|
| Short Name | ADKR |
| Tournament | DP World ILT20 Season 5 |
| Tournament Dates | 21 November – 20 December 2026 |
| ADKR League Matches | 10 |
| ADKR First Match | 22 November vs Dubai Capitals |
| Abu Dhabi Fixtures | 6 |
| Dubai Fixtures | 3 |
| Sharjah Fixtures | 1 |
| Season 5 Squad | 22 players in the latest post-auction list |
| ILT20 Titles | 0 |
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Full Fixtures 2026
ADKR face each of the other five franchises twice during the league phase. The schedule is weighted heavily toward Abu Dhabi: six of their 10 league games are at Zayed Cricket Stadium, including five fixtures in a 10-day spell from 26 November to 5 December.
| # | Date | Fixture | Venue | GST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun, 22 Nov | Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Dubai International Stadium | 6:30 PM |
| 2 | Thu, 26 Nov | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates | Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi | 6:30 PM |
| 3 | Sun, 29 Nov | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz | Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi | 2:00 PM |
| 4 | Mon, 30 Nov | MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi | 6:30 PM |
| 5 | Wed, 2 Dec | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers | Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi | 2:00 PM |
| 6 | Thu, 3 Dec | Gulf Giants vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Dubai International Stadium | 6:30 PM |
| 7 | Sat, 5 Dec | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants | Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi | 6:30 PM |
| 8 | Wed, 9 Dec | Sharjah Warriorz vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Sharjah Cricket Stadium | 6:30 PM |
| 9 | Sat, 12 Dec | Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Dubai International Stadium | 6:30 PM |
| 10 | Mon, 14 Dec | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals | Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi | 6:30 PM |
Pakistan and India times: 2:00 PM GST = 3:00 PM PKT = 3:30 PM IST. 6:30 PM GST = 7:30 PM PKT = 8:00 PM IST.
For every Season 5 game, see the complete ILT20 2026 schedule.
What the ADKR 2026 Schedule Tells Us
The raw fixture list hides a few details that matter. ADKR play six of their 10 league games in Abu Dhabi, more than half their schedule. Five of those Abu Dhabi fixtures fall between 26 November and 5 December, so the middle third of their season is unusually concentrated at Zayed Cricket Stadium.
The tightest turnaround comes on 29 and 30 November. ADKR play Sharjah Warriorz at 2:00 PM in Abu Dhabi on the 29th, then face MI Emirates at the same ground at 6:30 PM the following day. They face another short turnaround on 2–3 December, moving from an afternoon game against Desert Vipers in Abu Dhabi to an evening match against Gulf Giants in Dubai.
Only two ADKR league games start at 2:00 PM GST; the other eight are evening fixtures at 6:30 PM GST. That makes their schedule more night-game heavy than the simple 10-match total suggests.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 2026 Opponents
| Opponent | First Meeting | Second Meeting |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Capitals | 22 Nov — Dubai | 14 Dec — Abu Dhabi |
| MI Emirates | 26 Nov — Abu Dhabi | 30 Nov — Abu Dhabi |
| Sharjah Warriorz | 29 Nov — Abu Dhabi | 9 Dec — Sharjah |
| Desert Vipers | 2 Dec — Abu Dhabi | 12 Dec — Dubai |
| Gulf Giants | 3 Dec — Dubai | 5 Dec — Abu Dhabi |
When is Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ first match in ILT20 2026?
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders begin Season 5 against Dubai Capitals on Sunday, 22 November 2026 at 6:30 PM GST at Dubai International Stadium. That is 7:30 PM in Pakistan and 8:00 PM in India. Their first match at Zayed Cricket Stadium comes against MI Emirates on 26 November.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Venues 2026
| Venue | ADKR League Matches | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi | 6 | The clear centre of ADKR’s league schedule. |
| Dubai International Stadium | 3 | Hosts the opener against Dubai Capitals plus Gulf Giants and Desert Vipers fixtures. |
| Sharjah Cricket Stadium | 1 | ADKR’s only Sharjah league appearance is against Sharjah Warriorz on 9 December. |
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Match Timings 2026
| Start Time | ADKR Matches | Pakistan | India |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:00 PM GST | 2 | 3:00 PM PKT | 3:30 PM IST |
| 6:30 PM GST | 8 | 7:30 PM PKT | 8:00 PM IST |
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Squad 2026
ADKR entered the Season 5 auction with four players already secured: Finn Allen, Jason Holder, Matthew Tromp and Sunil Narine. The franchise then added 18 players at the auction, producing a 22-player post-auction squad.
| Player | Season 5 Entry |
|---|---|
| Finn Allen | Pre-auction signing |
| Jason Holder | Pre-auction signing |
| Matthew Tromp | Pre-auction signing |
| Sunil Narine | Returning player |
| Alishan Sharafu | Auction signing |
| Amshi De Silva | Auction signing |
| Muhammad Rohid | Auction signing |
| Moeen Ali | Auction signing |
| Arab Gul | Auction signing |
| Usman Tariq | Auction signing |
| Gulbadin Naib | Auction signing |
| Ibrar Ahmed | Auction signing |
| Andre Fletcher | Auction signing |
| Ajay Kumar | Auction signing |
| Colin Munro | Auction signing |
| Michael Pepper | Auction signing |
| Qais Ahmad | Auction signing |
| Jakeem Pollard | Auction signing |
| Abdul Mannan Ali | Auction signing |
| Ravija Sandaruwan | Auction signing |
| Abdullah Tarakhail | Auction signing |
| Lorcan Tucker | Auction signing |
Squad status: post-auction. Replacement or wildcard signings can still change a squad later if permitted under Season 5 rules.
For broader player coverage, see the ILT20 Squads 2026 hub.
How Season 5 Rules Affect the ADKR XI
The squad should not be judged only by its biggest international names. Season 5 playing rules require every XI to contain at least two UAE players, two Afghanistan players and one additional eligible Associate player. The final Associate slot can also be filled by a third UAE player.
That gives UAE players such as Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Rohid and Ajay Kumar direct selection importance rather than a peripheral squad role. Afghanistan options including Arab Gul, Gulbadin Naib and Qais Ahmad also affect how ADKR can construct a legal and balanced XI.
The practical question for ADKR is therefore not simply which 11 names are strongest on paper. It is how they combine local, Afghanistan and Associate requirements without weakening either the batting depth or bowling balance.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Captain & Coaching Staff 2026
| Role | Current Public Listing |
|---|---|
| Franchise Owner | Knight Riders Group |
| Captain | Sunil Narine is currently marked as captain on the official ILT20 team profile |
| Head Coach | Bharat Arun is currently listed on the official ILT20 team profile |
| Assistant Coach | Ryan ten Doeschate is currently listed on the official ILT20 team profile |
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Season 4 Performance
ADKR reached Qualifier 2 in Season 4 after finishing fourth in the league phase. Their playoff run was more impressive than the league record alone suggests: they eliminated Dubai Capitals by 50 runs before MI Emirates ended their title challenge one match short of the final.
| League Matches | 10 |
|---|---|
| Wins | 4 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Points | 8 |
| League Position | 4th |
| Final Stage Reached | Qualifier 2 |
ADKR Season 4 Playoff Results
| Stage | Opponent | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eliminator | Dubai Capitals | ADKR won by 50 runs | 1 January 2026 |
| Qualifier 2 | MI Emirates | ADKR lost by 7 wickets | 2 January 2026 |
Michael Pepper scored 72 in the Eliminator as ADKR reached 158/7 and dismissed Dubai Capitals for 108. That result moved the Knight Riders within one win of the final, but MI Emirates ended the run in Qualifier 2.
ADKR Season 4 vs Season 5
Two ILT20 editions touch the calendar year 2026, which is why older pages often mix them up. Season 4 ended in January 2026; Season 5 begins in November 2026.
| Edition | Dates | ADKR Status |
|---|---|---|
| Season 4 | December 2025 – January 2026 | Completed — reached Qualifier 2 |
| Season 5 | 21 November – 20 December 2026 | Upcoming |
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Player Auction 2026
The Season 5 auction is complete, so the old wording about ADKR waiting to build their squad is no longer accurate. The Knight Riders added 18 players to a pre-auction core of Finn Allen, Jason Holder, Matthew Tromp and Sunil Narine.
One of the clearest signals from ADKR’s auction was the emphasis on UAE and Associate depth. Alishan Sharafu and Muhammad Rohid were prominent UAE additions, while Amshi De Silva, Ravija Sandaruwan and Abdul Mannan Ali help satisfy the wider squad-composition requirements. The value of those signings goes beyond filling roster slots because Season 5 also imposes nationality requirements on the playing XI.
| Pre-Auction Players | 4 |
|---|---|
| Auction Additions | 18 |
| Latest Post-Auction Squad Size | 22 |
| League Squad Rule | 18–23 players |
| Post-Auction Wildcard | One permitted subject to league rules |
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Tickets 2026
As of 18 October 2026, the tournament schedule is confirmed but the league’s latest official fixture announcement still says Season 5 ticket availability will be unveiled separately. That means previous-season prices should not be presented as confirmed ADKR 2026 ticket prices.
| ADKR Match Dates | Confirmed |
|---|---|
| Match Venues | Confirmed |
| Season 5 Ticket Prices | Not yet confirmed in the latest official ticket announcement |
| Public Sale Details | Awaiting official Season 5 ticket release |
Follow the ILT20 Tickets 2026 guide for current booking information when sales are announced.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Schedule 2026 FAQs
When does Abu Dhabi Knight Riders play its first match in 2026?
ADKR begin Season 5 against Dubai Capitals on Sunday, 22 November 2026 at 6:30 PM GST at Dubai International Stadium.
Is the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 2026 schedule announced?
Yes. All 10 ADKR league fixtures are confirmed, including dates, opponents, venues and start times.
How many matches will ADKR play in Abu Dhabi?
Six of ADKR’s 10 league fixtures are scheduled at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
What time do Abu Dhabi Knight Riders matches start?
Eight ADKR league matches start at 6:30 PM GST and two start at 2:00 PM GST.
How many players are in the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders squad for Season 5?
The dated post-auction Season 5 release lists 22 ADKR players: four pre-auction players and 18 auction additions.
Who is the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain in 2026?
The current official ILT20 team profile marks Sunil Narine as captain. Because that profile contains some data that conflicts with the dated post-auction squad announcement, the leadership listing should be rechecked if ADKR publishes a new Season 5 announcement.
Who is the ADKR head coach for Season 5?
The current ILT20 team profile lists Bharat Arun as head coach, although an earlier official 2026 feature referred to Dwayne Bravo in the role. A fresh dated ADKR staff announcement would resolve that inconsistency.
Has Abu Dhabi Knight Riders won the ILT20?
No. ADKR are still searching for their first ILT20 championship. Their Season 4 run ended in Qualifier 2.
Are ADKR Season 5 tickets on sale?
The latest official fixture announcement says Season 5 ticket availability will be announced separately. This page should be updated when the league opens sales.
More ADKR & ILT20 2026 Coverage
- ILT20 Schedule 2026 – all 34 Season 5 fixtures
- ILT20 Squads 2026 – current player lists for all six teams
- ILT20 Teams 2026 – franchises, owners and title records
- ILT20 Tickets 2026 – booking and ticket-sale updates
- ILT20 2026 guide – format, winners and Season 5 overview
- Latest ILT20 news and Season 5 updates
Sources & Update Method
This page was reviewed on 18 October 2026 using dated Season 5 tournament releases and current official ILT20 information. Where official pages conflict, the more recent dated announcement is given priority and the uncertainty is stated rather than hidden.
- DP World ILT20 Season 5 fixture and post-auction squad release
- Official Season 5 auction and playing-XI rules
- Current official ADKR team profile
- Official Season 4 Eliminator report
ILT20Event.com is an independent information website and is not the official DP World ILT20 website. Fixtures, squad replacements, staff roles and ticket information can change, so material updates should be rechecked against the league or franchise when new announcements are published.