The complete schedule for the fifth edition of the International League T20 (ILT20) was unveiled on Wednesday, with the six-team tournament set to run from November 21 to December 20 across Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. The month-long competition opens with a repeat of last season’s final, as defending champions Desert Vipers take on MI Emirates at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on November 21.
Curtain-raiser and early fixtures: ILT20 2026 schedule
Sharjah hosts the second match of the tournament on November 22, when the Sharjah Warriorz meet the Gulf Giants at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, followed by Dubai Capitals against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Dubai later the same day. Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium stages its first game of the season on November 26, when the Knight Riders take on MI Emirates.
Format and league stage
The tournament follows a double round-robin format, with each side playing its five opponents twice. The league stage runs until December 14 and comprises 33 matches. The top four teams then move into the playoffs: Qualifier 1 between the top two seeds in Abu Dhabi on December 16, the Eliminator between seeds three and four in Dubai on December 17, Qualifier 2 in Sharjah on December 18, and the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on December 20.
League-stage fixtures
- 21 Nov: Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates, Dubai
- 22 Nov: Sharjah Warriorz vs Gulf Giants, Sharjah
- 22 Nov: Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai
- 23 Nov: Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers, Sharjah
- 24 Nov: Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates, Dubai
- 25 Nov: Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers, Dubai
- 26 Nov: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates, Abu Dhabi
- 27 Nov: Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals, Sharjah
- 28 Nov: MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers, Abu Dhabi
- 28 Nov: Gulf Giants vs Dubai Capitals, Dubai
- 29 Nov: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz, Abu Dhabi
- 29 Nov: Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants, Dubai
- 30 Nov: MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Abu Dhabi
- 1 Dec: Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriorz, Sharjah
- 2 Dec: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers, Abu Dhabi
- 2 Dec: Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates, Dubai
- 3 Dec: Gulf Giants vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai
- 4 Dec: Desert Vipers vs Sharjah Warriorz, Sharjah
- 5 Dec: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants, Abu Dhabi
- 6 Dec: MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz, Abu Dhabi
- 6 Dec: Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals, Dubai
- 7 Dec: MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants, Abu Dhabi
- 8 Dec: Dubai Capitals vs Sharjah Warriorz, Dubai
- 9 Dec: Sharjah Warriorz vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Sharjah
- 10 Dec: Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants, Dubai
- 11 Dec: Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates, Sharjah
- 12 Dec: Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai
- 13 Dec: MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals, Abu Dhabi
- 13 Dec: Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers, Dubai
- 14 Dec: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals, Abu Dhabi
FAQ
When does ILT20 2026 start and end?
The tournament runs from November 21 to December 20, 2026, with the league stage closing on December 14 and the playoffs following.
Which teams play in ILT20 2026?
The six teams are Desert Vipers, MI Emirates, Sharjah Warriorz, Gulf Giants, Dubai Capitals and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.
Who plays the opening match?
Defending champions Desert Vipers face MI Emirates at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on November 21, a repeat of last season’s final, which the Vipers won on January 4, 2026.
Where is the ILT20 2026 final?
The final is scheduled for December 20 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
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Originally reported by geosuper.tv.
