The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has revealed the schedule for the fourth edition of the International League T20 (ILT20). As per the schedule, the tournament is set to begin on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, with an opening match between Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers at the Dubai International Stadium.
The ILT20 season will begin with a rematch of last year’s final, where Dubai Capitals defeated Desert Vipers by four wickets with four balls remaining to claim their first title in front of over 25,000 fans. MI Emirates won the trophy in 2024, while the Gulf Giants were crowned champions in the inaugural season.
ILT20 2025-26 Schedule Announced on September 3
A total of 34 matches across three venues will be played in Season 4 of the ILT20. Dubai International Stadium will host 15 fixtures, Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi 11, and Sharjah Cricket Stadium eight matches.
Following the curtain-raiser, Sharjah Warriorz, who reached the playoffs for the first time last season, will face Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on December 3.
Gulf Giants, winners of the inaugural 2023 edition, will begin their campaign against Season 2 champions MI Emirates on December 4 at Dubai International Stadium. All matches will be played across Dubai International Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, and Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
ILT20 2025-26 Playoffs to Commence on December 30
The ILT20 2025-26 season will run from December 2, 2025, to January 4, 2026. The competition will follow the same format as previous editions, starting with a 30-match double round-robin league stage before moving into the playoffs.
The league stage concludes on December 28, with the knockout phase beginning two days later. Qualifier 1, featuring the top two teams, will take place on December 30 in Abu Dhabi.
The Eliminator, contested by the third and fourth-placed sides, is scheduled for January 1 in Dubai, followed by Qualifier 2 the next day in Sharjah. After a one-day break, the final will be played on January 4 in Dubai.
The tournament will overlap with South Africa’s SA20, which begins on December 26. With nearly two weeks of scheduling conflicts, players will be forced to choose between the two leagues. ILT20 ends on January 4, while SA20 continues for another three weeks.
ILT20 2025-26: Full Schedule, Venues, and Match Timings
| Date | Day | Match | Venue | Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Dec 2025 | Tuesday | Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers | Dubai | 6:30 PM |
| 3 Dec 2025 | Wednesday | Sharjah Warriorz vs AD Knight Riders | Sharjah | 6:30 PM |
| 4 Dec 2025 | Thursday | Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates | Dubai | 6:30 PM |
| 5 Dec 2025 | Friday | Desert Vipers vs AD Knight Riders | Sharjah | 6:30 PM |
| 6 Dec 2025 | Saturday | Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants | Dubai | 6:30 PM |
| 7 Dec 2025 | Sunday | Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates | Sharjah | 2:00 PM |
| Dubai Capitals vs AD Knight Riders | Dubai | 6:30 PM | ||
| 8 Dec 2025 | Monday | Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants | Dubai | 6:30 PM |
| 9 Dec 2025 | Tuesday | MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers | Abu Dhabi | 6:30 PM |
| 10 Dec 2025 | Wednesday | Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriorz | Dubai | 6:30 PM |
| 11 Dec 2025 | Thursday | MI Emirates vs AD Knight Riders | Abu Dhabi | 6:30 PM |
| 12 Dec 2025 | Friday | Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers | Dubai | 6:30 PM |
| 13 Dec 2025 | Saturday | AD Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals | Abu Dhabi | 6:30 PM |
| 14 Dec 2025 | Sunday | MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz | Abu Dhabi | 2:00 PM |
| Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals | Dubai | 6:30 PM | ||
| 15 Dec 2025 | Monday | Sharjah Warriorz vs Gulf Giants | Sharjah | 6:30 PM |
| 16 Dec 2025 | Tuesday | AD Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers | Abu Dhabi | 6:30 PM |
| 17 Dec 2025 | Wednesday | Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates | Dubai | 6:30 PM |
| 18 Dec 2025 | Thursday | AD Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants | Abu Dhabi | 6:30 PM |
| 19 Dec 2025 | Friday | Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals | Sharjah | 6:30 PM |
| 20 Dec 2025 | Saturday | AD Knight Riders vs MI Emirates | Abu Dhabi | 2:00 PM |
| Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers | Dubai | 6:30 PM | ||
| 21 Dec 2025 | Sunday | Gulf Giants vs Dubai Capitals | Sharjah | 2:00 PM |
| Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates | Dubai | 6:30 PM | ||
| 22 Dec 2025 | Monday | AD Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz | Abu Dhabi | 6:30 PM |
| 23 Dec 2025 | Tuesday | MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants | Abu Dhabi | 6:30 PM |
| 24 Dec 2025 | Wednesday | Dubai Capitals vs Sharjah Warriorz | Dubai | 6:30 PM |
| 26 Dec 2025 | Friday | Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers | Sharjah | 6:30 PM |
| 27 Dec 2025 | Saturday | MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals | Abu Dhabi | 6:30 PM |
| 28 Dec 2025 | Sunday | Gulf Giants vs AD Knight Riders | Dubai | 6:30 PM |
Playoffs:
| Date | Stage | Match | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 2025 | Tuesday | Qualifier 1: Seed 1 vs Seed 2 | Abu Dhabi | 6:30 PM |
| 1 Jan 2026 | Thursday | Eliminator: Seed 3 vs Seed 4 | Dubai | 6:30 PM |
| 2 Jan 2026 | Friday | Qualifier 2: Loser Q1 vs Winner Elim | Sharjah | 6:30 PM |
| 4 Jan 2026 | Sunday | Final | Dubai | 6:30 PM |