ILT20 2026 Guide: Teams, Format, Winners, Schedule & Season 5

The International League T20 (ILT20), commercially known as the DP World International League T20, is a professional franchise T20 cricket competition based in the United Arab Emirates.

The tournament was launched in 2023 and features six franchises representing major UAE cricket markets and international franchise ownership groups.

The upcoming ILT20 2026 Season 5 will be played from 22 November to 20 December 2026. The competition will feature six teams and 34 matches, with the championship final scheduled for Dubai International Stadium on 20 December.

This guide covers what ILT20 is, the Season 5 dates, tournament format, teams, confirmed players, previous champions, venues, ticket status and the latest 2026 developments.

ILT20 stands for International League T20. It is a franchise-based Twenty20 cricket league staged in the United Arab Emirates under the country’s cricket structure.

The competition brings together international stars, UAE players and other eligible cricketers in a short-format league played primarily in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Unlike an international tournament between national teams, ILT20 is played between privately operated franchises.

Six franchises will compete in ILT20 Season 5.

For full franchise information, visit:

ILT20 Teams 2026 – Owners, Players, Coaches & Team Guides

The six franchises have each confirmed four players before the main Season 5 auction, creating an initial group of 24 confirmed players.

These are not the final Season 5 squads. The remaining players will largely be selected at the October auction.

See:

ILT20 Squads 2026 – Complete Player Updates

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

Teams will use the auction to add UAE players, eligible regional players and additional overseas players around the four-player cores already confirmed.

ILT20 uses a six-team league format followed by playoffs.

During the league stage, each franchise plays the other five teams twice. That gives every team 10 league matches and creates a total of 30 league-stage fixtures.

The top four teams then progress to the playoffs.

One of the most interesting features of the tournament’s first four editions is that four different franchises have won the trophy.

The Desert Vipers enter Season 5 as defending champions.

They won their first ILT20 title on 4 January 2026, defeating MI Emirates by 46 runs at Dubai International Stadium.

Desert Vipers scored 182/4 before dismissing MI Emirates for 136.

Sam Curran played a decisive role in the final with an unbeaten 74 and completed a standout Season 4 campaign.

ILT20 began in January 2023 with six franchises and a 34-match structure.

Gulf Giants became the inaugural champions after beating Desert Vipers by seven wickets in the first final.

MI Emirates then won Season 2 in 2024, Dubai Capitals claimed their first title in Season 3 in 2025, and Desert Vipers became champions for the first time at the end of Season 4 in January 2026.

The calendar year 2026 includes both the end of Season 4 and the entire Season 5 tournament.

This can create confusion in search results, so the dates should always be clearly labelled by season.

The confirmed Season 5 tournament window is 22 November to 20 December 2026.

The complete match-by-match schedule, including all opponents, dates, venues and start times, has not yet been reliably confirmed.

See:

ILT20 Schedule 2026 – Fixtures, Dates & Venues

ILT20 is played across the UAE’s established cricket centres in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

The full Season 5 match allocation has not yet been published, but Dubai International Stadium is already confirmed as the venue for the final.

As of 6 September 2026, public Season 5 ticket sales, ticket prices and the authorised booking platform have not yet been announced.

Previous Season 4 tickets started from AED 20 for adults and AED 10 for children aged 6–16, but those are historical prices and should not be presented as confirmed Season 5 rates.

See:

ILT20 Tickets 2026 – Prices, Booking & Sale Updates

ZEE holds long-term global media rights for the International League T20, with previous seasons broadcast across ZEE television channels and ZEE5.

However, the exact Season 5 country-by-country television and streaming list should be checked closer to the tournament, because regional distribution partners and channel assignments can change.

The complete list of Season 5 captains has not yet been officially confirmed.

Older captain names should not automatically be carried over because squads and leadership can change from one season to another.

No. ILT20 and the Indian Premier League are separate competitions.

The IPL is based in India, while ILT20 is based in the United Arab Emirates. Some ownership groups operate franchises in both competitions, which explains similarities in names such as MI Emirates and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.

What does ILT20 stand for?

ILT20 stands for International League T20, a professional franchise Twenty20 cricket competition based in the United Arab Emirates.

When does ILT20 2026 start?

ILT20 Season 5 starts on 22 November 2026.

When is the ILT20 2026 Final?

The Season 5 final will be played on 20 December 2026 at Dubai International Stadium.

How many teams are in ILT20?

There are six franchises: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz.

How many matches are played in ILT20?

A full ILT20 season contains 34 matches.

How many matches does each team play?

Each franchise plays 10 league-stage matches, facing each of the other five teams twice.

Who won ILT20 2026?

There are two relevant 2026 periods. Desert Vipers won Season 4 on 4 January 2026. Season 5 begins in November 2026 and its champion will be decided on 20 December.

Who are the defending ILT20 champions?

Desert Vipers are the defending champions.

Who has won the most ILT20 titles?

There is currently no outright leader. Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers have each won one title.

When is the ILT20 2026 Player Auction?

The Season 5 Player Auction is scheduled for 1 October 2026 in Dubai.

Are the ILT20 2026 squads complete?

No. Each team has currently confirmed four players. Most of the remaining squad positions will be filled through the October auction.

Are ILT20 2026 tickets on sale?

As of 6 September 2026, public Season 5 ticket sales have not yet been announced.

Where is ILT20 played?

ILT20 is played in the United Arab Emirates, primarily across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Is ILT20 an official T20 competition?

Yes. ILT20 matches have recognised T20 status, meaning tournament performances are included in players’ recognised T20 records.

ILT20 Season 5 is now in the squad-building phase ahead of the tournament’s 22 November 2026 start.

Each franchise has confirmed four players, producing an initial group of 24 Season 5 players. The 1 October Player Auction will substantially expand those squads.

Desert Vipers enter the tournament as defending champions, while Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals will each have the opportunity to become the first franchise to win a second ILT20 title.

The next major updates expected before the tournament are the full squads, captains, complete match schedule, match timings and Season 5 ticket launch.

This page will remain the broader reference guide to the International League T20 and ILT20 2026, while the dedicated schedule, squads, teams and ticket pages provide more detailed coverage.