The fourth season of the International League T20 (ILT20) is set to launch on December 2, 2025, coinciding with the UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad), marking a festive start to the region’s premier T20 cricket tournament.
The 34-match competition, featuring six teams, will run until January 4, 2026. The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) announced the schedule shift to avoid clashing with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for February-March 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, ensuring that most of the players remain available for the league.
Dubai Capitals defeated Desert Vipers in the final of the third season to clinch the trophy.
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ILT20 Season 4 to be Held in December-January to Avoid Clash with T20 World Cup 2026
The fourth edition of the ILT20 will witness a new window of December-January. Generally, the tournament has taken place in January-February in the past. This was done so that the participating players, who also play international cricket, do not miss the season.
Khalid Al Zarooni, ILT20 chairman and ECB vice-chairman, highlighted the symbolic start.
"We are delighted to confirm that the DP World International League T20 Season 4 will commence on the UAE National Day - Eid-Al-Etihad - which is one of the most important days on the UAE calendar," the chairman of the ILT20 said as quoted in media release.
"The UAE National Day is the day where we celebrate the United Arab Emirates which is home to people from around the world including millions of diehard cricket fans. It is a real honour for us to join the nation in the UAE National Day 2025 celebrations with the launch of the region's biggest T20 league - the DP World ILT20 Season 4, on the same day," he added.
ILT20 CEO David White reflected on the change in scheduling.
"Following extensive discussions with all our stakeholders, we believe the December—January window is ideal for Season 4. The T20 World Cup begins in early February, so it was important to conclude the league well in advance, giving players time to prepare for national duty," White said
"At the same time, the holiday period gives our teams better access to top talent from around the world," he stated further.
Season 3’s success, marked by stellar performances from Sam Curran (Red Belt winner), Shai Hope (Green Belt for most runs), and Fazalhaq Farooqi (White Belt for most wickets), set a high benchmark.
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History of International League T20
The ILT20, launched in 2023, has quickly established itself as a premier T20 competition, attracting stars like Andre Russell, David Warner, Nicholas Pooran, and many more.
The first edition of the competition was won by the Gulf Giants, who defeated the Desert Vipers in the final. MI Emirates lifted the title in the following season, while Dubai Capitals are the defending champions.
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