Dubai, 14 May 2025 – The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) Season 4 will begin on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, coinciding with UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad), and will culminate in the final on Sunday, 4 January 2026.
The six-team, 34-match tournament, widely recognized as the biggest T20 league in the Gulf region, has shifted from its traditional January-February window due to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled for February–March 2026.
ILT20 aligns with UAE National Day celebrations
Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman of ILT20 and Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, emphasized the significance of the new start date:
“We are delighted to confirm that the DP World ILT20 Season 4 will commence on the UAE National Day – Eid-Al-Etihad – one of the most important days on the UAE calendar. It is a real honour for us to join the nation in celebration with the launch of the region’s biggest T20 league on this special day.”
Revised ILT20 schedule ensures global player availability
David White, CEO of DP World ILT20, said the date shift followed detailed consultations with stakeholders:
“The 2 December to 4 January window allows Season 4 to conclude ahead of the T20 World Cup. It ensures players are available for both tournaments and offers teams better access to global talent. Season 3 was a major success with record-breaking viewership, and we’re now focused on delivering an even bigger Season 4.”
Star-studded Season 3 sets high bar
Season 3 of the DP World ILT20 featured top T20 stars including:
- Nicholas Pooran
- Sam Curran (Player of the Tournament – Red Belt winner)
- Shai Hope (Most Runs – Green Belt winner)
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (Top Wicket-Taker – White Belt winner)
- Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Jason Holder
- David Warner, Rovman Powell, Alex Hales, Fakhar Zaman
- Lockie Ferguson, James Vince, Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Jason Roy, Adil Rashid, Adam Zampa, and more
The Dubai Capitals clinched the Season 3 title in a dramatic final against the Desert Vipers on 9 February 2025, witnessed by a packed crowd at the Dubai International Stadium.
ILT20 Season 4 set to raise the bar
With its new scheduling and strong momentum from previous seasons, ILT20 Season 4 is expected to attract even higher global attention. The tournament’s positioning before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup further enhances its status as a premier platform for elite T20 competition.
