DP World ILT20 Season 5 to begin on 22 November 2026, launched in Dubai

According to the invitation to the ceremony, the event was meant to celebrate the start of Season 5 and to offer meetings with prominent figures of the sport, panel discussions and networking opportunities.

According to official information, the fifth season of the DP World ILT20 will begin on 22 November 2026. The final will be played on 20 December at the Dubai International Stadium. The six-team tournament will have a total of 34 matches and will be played at world-class Cricket venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Ahead of Season 5, the league management has appointed Mike Fordham as interim Chief Operating Officer of the International League T20.

According to the ILT20, Fordham has been the league’s Head of Operations since the tournament began in 2022. He will immediately lead the management of Season 5.

He said this year’s edition would be bigger and better, and that the league had also become an important platform for young UAE players.

The presence of global T20 stars is also of particular importance in the preparations for Season 5. According to the league, big names including David Miller, Finn Allen, Heinrich Klaasen and Marcus Stoinis have already been signed in the pre-auction signings. Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran, Sunil Narine, Jason Holder, Sikandar Raza and other well-known players will also return with their franchises. The player auction will be held in Dubai on 1 October 2026, after which the teams will complete their squads.

The launch ceremony reflects the growing importance of the ILT20 in the UAE’s Sports calendar. With partners such as DP World, Zee as broadcast partner, Sport5, Visit Dubai and the Emirates Cricket Board present, the league is playing an important role not only in promoting local Cricket but also in strengthening the UAE as a hub for major Cricket events worldwide.