DP World ILT20 season 4 to kick off on UAE National Day

The fourth edition of the DP World International League T20 (ILT20), the Gulf region’s premier T20 cricket league and the second-most watched T20 competition globally, will begin on Tuesday, December 2, 2025—coinciding with the UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad). The tournament will run until Sunday, January 4, 2026, featuring six teams across 34 matches.

The decision to shift the tournament window from its usual January-February slot was made due to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for February-March 2026. The new window allows players to participate in both tournaments and adequately prepare for international duty.

Chairman ILT20 and Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, Khalid Al Zarooni, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted to confirm that the DP World ILT20 Season 4 will commence on the UAE National Day – Eid-Al-Etihad – which is one of the most important days on the UAE calendar."

DP World ILT20 CEO David White added, “Following extensive discussions with all our stakeholders, we believe the 2 December 2025 to 4 January 2026 tournament window is ideal. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins in early February hence it was important for us to start and finish Season 4 well before the tournament as it will allow the players playing both the DP World ILT20 and the T20 World Cup to prepare for national duty. In addition, we feel that the December-January window will provide the teams’ the best opportunity to access a bigger pool of players.”

Reflecting on Season 3, White noted the tournament’s significant growth. 

“Season 3 was a big success with outstanding broadcast and digital numbers as the fans enjoyed a step-up in the quality of cricket. The teams gave their absolute all across the hugely competitive 34-tournament matches which concluded with a nail-biting final won by the Dubai Capitals in the last over of the match in front of a packed Dubai International Stadium. We are now fully focused on making an even bigger impact as we turn our attention to Season 4,” White said. 

Season 3 featured some of the biggest stars in T20 cricket, including Nicholas Pooran, Sam Curran, Shai Hope, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, David Warner, and many others. Sam Curran was named Player of the Tournament (Red Belt), Shai Hope won the Green Belt for most runs, and Fazalhaq Farooqi took the White Belt for the highest wicket tally.