The ILT20 2026 schedule is now set, and the fifth season of the International League T20 promises a full month of fast cricket across the United Arab Emirates. The ILT20 2026 fixtures run from 21 November to 20 December 2026, with 34 matches in total, 30 league matches and four playoff matches. The ILT20 2026 dates give every team ten league matches across the three venues, and the race for the top four stays open until the last league weekend.
ILT20 2026 Schedule Overview
The ILT20 2026 schedule opens on Saturday 21 November 2026, when defending champions Desert Vipers meet MI Emirates at Dubai International Stadium. The opening match sets the tone for a season in which every team plays ten league matches, and the top four teams advance to the playoffs. The ILT20 2026 opening match brings together two strong squads, and the Dubai crowd can expect a high scoring start under lights.
The league stage runs from 21 November to 13 December 2026, with matches spread across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The ILT20 2026 fixtures include weekend double headers and evening starts, so fans can plan around work and travel. Most matches start in the evening, and the full match list below gives the date, the teams and the venue for every game in the ILT20 2026 schedule.
Six teams take part in ILT20 2026, namely Desert Vipers, MI Emirates, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants and Sharjah Warriorz. Each team meets the other five teams twice in the league stage, once in each half of the season, and that gives a balanced ILT20 2026 fixture list with ten matches for every team. The ILT20 2026 teams bring a mix of world stars and UAE talent, and the league rules keep UAE players in the spotlight in every match.
The format stays simple for fans who follow the ILT20 2026 schedule. Two points go to the winner of each league match, and net run rate separates teams that finish level on points. The top two teams meet in Qualifier 1, the third and fourth teams meet in the Eliminator, the winner of the Eliminator meets the loser of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2, and the two Qualifier winners meet in the final. This playoff path rewards a strong league finish, and it keeps the ILT20 2026 playoffs full of meaning from the first week.
ILT20 2026 Fixtures: Full 34 Match List
The table below gives the full ILT20 2026 schedule with dates and venues for all 34 matches, and it follows the fixture list published by ESPNcricinfo for the International League T20 2026-27 season. Read down the list to find your team, mark the dates that matter, and use the venue column to plan travel. Across the season, Dubai hosts 14 matches, Abu Dhabi hosts 10 matches and Sharjah hosts 10 matches.
| Match No. | Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 Nov 2026 | Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates | Dubai |
| 2 | 22 Nov 2026 | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals | Abu Dhabi |
| 3 | 22 Nov 2026 | Desert Vipers vs Sharjah Warriorz | Dubai |
| 4 | 23 Nov 2026 | Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriorz | Sharjah |
| 5 | 24 Nov 2026 | Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers | Dubai |
| 6 | 25 Nov 2026 | MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Abu Dhabi |
| 7 | 26 Nov 2026 | Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates | Sharjah |
| 8 | 27 Nov 2026 | Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants | Dubai |
| 9 | 28 Nov 2026 | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers | Abu Dhabi |
| 10 | 29 Nov 2026 | Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates | Dubai |
| 11 | 29 Nov 2026 | Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals | Sharjah |
| 12 | 30 Nov 2026 | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants | Dubai |
| 13 | 1 Dec 2026 | Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants | Dubai |
| 14 | 2 Dec 2026 | MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals | Dubai |
| 15 | 3 Dec 2026 | Sharjah Warriorz vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Sharjah |
| 16 | 4 Dec 2026 | Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers | Dubai |
| 17 | 5 Dec 2026 | Gulf Giants vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Abu Dhabi |
| 18 | 6 Dec 2026 | MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz | Sharjah |
| 19 | 7 Dec 2026 | Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Abu Dhabi |
| 20 | 8 Dec 2026 | Gulf Giants vs Dubai Capitals | Abu Dhabi |
| 21 | 9 Dec 2026 | Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers | Sharjah |
| 22 | 10 Dec 2026 | MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants | Dubai |
| 23 | 11 Dec 2026 | Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Abu Dhabi |
| 24 | 12 Dec 2026 | Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates | Sharjah |
| 25 | 12 Dec 2026 | Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriorz | Dubai |
| 26 | 13 Dec 2026 | Dubai Capitals vs Sharjah Warriorz | Dubai |
| 27 | 13 Dec 2026 | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates | Abu Dhabi |
| 28 | 13 Dec 2026 | Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers | Dubai |
| 29 | 13 Dec 2026 | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz | Abu Dhabi |
| 30 | 13 Dec 2026 | Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates | Sharjah |
| Q1 | 16 Dec 2026 | Qualifier 1: 1st vs 2nd | Abu Dhabi |
| E | 17 Dec 2026 | Eliminator: 3rd vs 4th | Dubai |
| Q2 | 18 Dec 2026 | Qualifier 2: Q1 Loser vs Eliminator Winner | Sharjah |
| F | 20 Dec 2026 | Final: Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner | Dubai |
When Does the ILT20 2026 Schedule Start?
The ILT20 2026 schedule starts on Saturday 21 November 2026 with the opening match between Desert Vipers and MI Emirates at Dubai International Stadium. The first ball of the season brings the defending champions back to the ground where they will try to start the defence of the title with a win, and MI Emirates will try to spoil the party on the first night.
The first weekend sets a fast pace, with two matches on Sunday 22 November 2026, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders against Dubai Capitals in Abu Dhabi and Desert Vipers against Sharjah Warriorz in Dubai. Fans who ask when the ILT20 2026 schedule starts can plan for a full opening weekend, and the league stage then runs without a long break until 13 December 2026.
ILT20 2026 Playoff Dates and Final
The ILT20 2026 playoffs start on Wednesday 16 December 2026 with Qualifier 1 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, where the top two teams from the league stage meet for a direct place in the final. The winner goes straight to the final in Dubai, and the loser gets a second chance in Qualifier 2, so the ILT20 2026 playoff dates reward the teams that finish first and second.
The Eliminator takes place on Thursday 17 December 2026 at Dubai International Stadium, where the third and fourth teams meet in a knockout match, and the loser leaves the tournament. Qualifier 2 follows on Friday 18 December 2026 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, where the loser of Qualifier 1 meets the winner of the Eliminator, and the winner of that match takes the second place in the final. The ILT20 2026 final takes place on Sunday 20 December 2026 at Dubai International Stadium, and the two Qualifier winners meet to decide the champions.
Where Are ILT20 2026 Matches Played?
ILT20 2026 matches are played at three venues in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai International Stadium in Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah. The ILT20 2026 match list for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah gives every venue a strong share of the season, and fans in each city can watch world class T20 cricket close to home.
Dubai International Stadium hosts the opening match on 21 November 2026 and the final on 20 December 2026, and it hosts 14 matches in total, the most of any venue. Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi hosts 10 matches, including Qualifier 1 on 16 December 2026, and Sharjah Cricket Stadium hosts 10 matches, including Qualifier 2 on 18 December 2026.
ILT20 2026 Teams and Key Dates
The six ILT20 2026 teams are Desert Vipers, MI Emirates, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants and Sharjah Warriorz, and each team plays five other teams twice in the league stage. Desert Vipers enter the season as defending champions, and the other five teams will try to stop a second title in a row for the Vipers. The ILT20 2026 teams all carry strong overseas stars and UAE players, and the balance of each squad will shape the race for the top four.
The key dates in the ILT20 2026 schedule are easy to mark, the opener on 21 November 2026, the last league matches on 13 December 2026, Qualifier 1 on 16 December 2026, the Eliminator on 17 December 2026, Qualifier 2 on 18 December 2026 and the final on 20 December 2026. Fans who follow the ILT20 2026 dates can plan for a busy final weekend, with the last league day on 13 December 2026, a short break, and then four playoff days that decide the champions.
- Opener: 21 November 2026 – Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates in Dubai
- Last league match: 13 December 2026
- Qualifier 1: 16 December 2026 in Abu Dhabi
- Eliminator: 17 December 2026 in Dubai
- Qualifier 2: 18 December 2026 in Sharjah
- Final: 20 December 2026 in Dubai
For a look back at the previous season, read ILT20 2025 Top Contenders for Final and Key Players Shaping the UAE Tournament, which sets the scene for the new season.
Conclusion
The ILT20 2026 schedule gives fans a clear path from the opening match on 21 November 2026 to the final on 20 December 2026, with 30 league matches and four playoff matches across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The full 34 match fixture list rewards close attention, because the top four race, the playoff dates and the final in Dubai will shape the fifth season. Save the key dates, follow the table above, and enjoy a month of fast T20 cricket in the United Arab Emirates.
FAQ
The ILT20 2026 schedule starts on Saturday 21 November 2026 with the opening match between Desert Vipers and MI Emirates at Dubai International Stadium.
Desert Vipers play MI Emirates in the opening match on 21 November 2026 at Dubai International Stadium, with the defending champions starting the season at home in Dubai.
The ILT20 2026 final takes place on Sunday 20 December 2026 at Dubai International Stadium, where the winners of Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 meet to decide the champions.
ILT20 2026 matches are played at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, with Dubai hosting 14 matches, Abu Dhabi hosting 10 matches and Sharjah hosting 10 matches.
ILT20 2026 has 34 matches in total, with 30 league matches and four playoff matches, Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the final.
Six teams play in ILT20 2026, Desert Vipers, MI Emirates, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants and Sharjah Warriorz, and each team plays ten league matches.
