The International League T20 (ILT20) has announced the complete schedule for its fifth season, with the tournament set to begin on November 21, 2026. The 30-day competition will feature six teams competing across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Defending champions Desert Vipers will begin their title defence in the opening game, while the Season 5 final will be played at the Dubai International Stadium on December 20. The tournament will feature 34 matches, including 30 league-stage fixtures and four playoff games.
Desert Vipers to lock horns with MI Emirates in opening match
Desert Vipers will face MI Emirates in the opening fixture of ILT20 2026 at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday, November 21. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:30 PM local time and will mark the start of the fifth season of the competition.
The following day will bring a double-header. Sharjah Warriorz will face Gulf Giants at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from 2:00 PM, before Dubai Capitals begin their campaign against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Dubai at 6:30 PM.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will play their first home fixture on November 26 against MI Emirates at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. The tournament will also have a special double-header on December 2 to mark UAE National Day. Knight Riders will meet Desert Vipers in Abu Dhabi in the afternoon, while Dubai Capitals will take on MI Emirates in the evening in Dubai.
The league stage will continue until December 14, followed by the playoffs. Qualifier 1 will be played on December 16, while the Eliminator is scheduled for December 17. Qualifier 2 will take place on December 18, with the two remaining teams competing for a place in the final.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to host ILT20 2026 matches
The six teams will play each other twice during the league stage, giving every side 10 matches. The top four teams after the 30 league fixtures will qualify for the playoffs.
Dubai will host the largest share of matches, with 15 fixtures scheduled at the Dubai International Stadium. The Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi will stage 11 games, while the Sharjah Cricket Stadium will host eight matches. The final is scheduled for December 20 at the Dubai International Stadium.
Also Read: ILT20 2026 full squads after auction, Fazalhaq Farooqi becomes most expensive player
ILT20 Season 5 Full Schedule Announced: ILT20 2026 Fixtures
| # | Date | Match | Time | Venue |
| 1 | 21-Nov | Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 2 | 22-Nov | Sharjah Warriorz vs Gulf Giants | 2:00pm | Sharjah |
| 3 | 22-Nov | Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 4 | 23-Nov | Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers | 6:30pm | Sharjah |
| 5 | 24-Nov | Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 6 | 25-Nov | Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 7 | 26-Nov | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates | 6:30pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 8 | 27-Nov | Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30pm | Sharjah |
| 9 | 28-Nov | MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers | 2:00pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 10 | 28-Nov | Gulf Giants vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 11 | 29-Nov | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz | 2:00pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 12 | 29-Nov | Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 13 | 30-Nov | MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 14 | 01-Dec | Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriorz | 6:30pm | Sharjah |
| 15 | 02-Dec | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers | 2:00pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 16 | 02-Dec | Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 17 | 03-Dec | Gulf Giants vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 18 | 04-Dec | Desert Vipers vs Sharjah Warriorz | 6:30pm | Sharjah |
| 19 | 05-Dec | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants | 6:30pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 20 | 06-Dec | MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz | 2:00pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 21 | 06-Dec | Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 22 | 07-Dec | MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants | 6:30pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 23 | 08-Dec | Dubai Capitals vs Sharjah Warriorz | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 24 | 09-Dec | Sharjah Warriorz vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30pm | Sharjah |
| 25 | 10-Dec | Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 26 | 11-Dec | Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates | 6:30pm | Sharjah |
| 27 | 12-Dec | Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 28 | 13-Dec | MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals | 2:00pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 29 | 13-Dec | Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 30 | 14-Dec | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 31 | 16-Dec | Qualifier 1: Seed 1 vs Seed 2 | 6:30pm | Abu Dhabi |
| 32 | 17-Dec | Eliminator: Seed 3 vs Seed 4 | 6:30pm | Dubai |
| 33 | 18-Dec | Qualifier 2: Loser of Q1 vs Winner of Eliminator | 6:30pm | Sharjah |
| 34 | 20-Dec | Final: Winner of Q1 vs Winner of Q2 | 6:30pm | Dubai |