Cricket fans in the UAE can now book tickets for DP World International League T20 (ILT20) Season 5, with prices starting at Dhs 10 for children and Dhs 20 for adults. The tournament runs from 21 November to 20 December 2026, featuring 34 matches across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, with the final scheduled for Dubai International Stadium.
The opening match will see defending champions Desert Vipers face MI Emirates in a repeat of last season’s final on Saturday, 21 November, at 6.30pm Gulf Standard Time in Dubai.
Tickets are available through the official ILT20 ticketing website and Platinumlist. Physical box offices in Dubai and Sharjah are scheduled to begin selling tickets on 14 November.
ILT20 Season 5 tickets: Prices and where to buy
The fifth season of the UAE-based T20 cricket league will offer several ticket categories, from affordable general admission to premium hospitality packages.
Children’s tickets start at Dhs 10 at Dubai International Stadium, Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The price applies on all match days, including the final. Children aged five to 16 qualify for the category, while children under five can enter without a ticket when accompanied by an adult.
Adult tickets start at Dhs 20 for league and playoff matches. Tickets for the final start at Dhs 30.
Fans can purchase tickets online through tickets.ilt20.ae and Platinumlist. Physical ticket counters in Dubai and Sharjah are due to open on Saturday, 14 November.
With prices varying by match and seating category, supporters should check the relevant ticketing platform for availability and final prices before booking.
Sixes Lounge family packages start at Dhs 500
Families looking for a premium match-day experience can opt for the Sixes Lounge Family Pass at Dubai International Stadium.
Priced at Dhs 500, the package covers two adults and two children attending a league or playoff match. It provides access to the Sixes Lounge, a premium hospitality area and viewing platform.
For the final on Sunday, 20 December, the same family package will cost Dhs 650.
The family option gives groups of four an alternative to purchasing individual premium tickets, particularly for supporters planning to attend a match together.
ILT20 hospitality tickets start at Dhs 125
Fans seeking an upgraded viewing experience can choose from hospitality options at the tournament’s venues.
Children’s hospitality tickets start at Dhs 125 for the Sixes Lounge at Dubai International Stadium and the Diamond Pavilion at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Adult hospitality tickets start at Dhs 180.
Sky Boxes and VIP Suites will also be available, with options including individual seats, private boxes for specific matches and season packages covering five home-team matches.
Prices depend on the hospitality category and package selected, so fans should check availability and inclusions before making a reservation.
ILT20 Season 5 opening match and final dates
The tournament begins on 21 November with a rematch between Desert Vipers and MI Emirates, the finalists from Season 4. The match is scheduled to start at 6.30pm at Dubai International Stadium.
The league stage will feature teams competing across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah before the playoffs begin in the second half of December.
Qualifier 1 is scheduled for 16 December in Abu Dhabi, followed by the Eliminator on 17 December in Dubai. Qualifier 2 will take place in Sharjah on 18 December.
The season will conclude with the final at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, 20 December, starting at 6.30pm.
For fans deciding which match to attend, the opening fixture offers a chance to watch the defending champions begin their title defence, while the final will determine the Season 5 winner.
ILT20 Season 5 schedule: Key matches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah
The 34-match competition includes afternoon and evening fixtures across the three host cities. Most matches are scheduled to begin at 6.30pm, while selected Saturday and Sunday fixtures will start at 2pm.
The opening week features several match-ups across the six franchises. On 22 November, Sharjah Warriorz will face Gulf Giants in Sharjah at 2pm, before Dubai Capitals take on Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Dubai at 6.30pm.
Other early fixtures include Sharjah Warriorz against Desert Vipers on 23 November, Gulf Giants versus MI Emirates on 24 November and Dubai Capitals against Desert Vipers on 25 November.
The schedule continues through December, with matches distributed across the three venues before the playoff stage.
Key dates for supporters to note include:
- 21 November: Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates, Dubai, 6.30pm.
- 16 December: Qualifier 1, Abu Dhabi, 6.30pm.
- 17 December: Eliminator, Dubai, 6.30pm.
- 18 December: Qualifier 2, Sharjah, 6.30pm.
- 20 December: Final, Dubai, 6.30pm.
All timings are in Gulf Standard Time. Fans should consult the official ILT20 website for the complete fixture list and any schedule updates.
Star players to watch in ILT20 Season 5
The tournament will feature international players across all six franchises, with established names in batting, bowling and all-round performance.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will feature Moeen Ali, Finn Allen and Usman Tariq, while defending champions Desert Vipers have Babar Azam, Shimron Hetmyer and Naseem Shah among their squad.
Dubai Capitals will include Faf du Plessis, Marcus Stoinis and Mustafizur Rahman. Gulf Giants will feature Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone and David Miller.
MI Emirates will have Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran and Fazalhaq Farooqi, while Sharjah Warriorz will feature Mohammad Nabi, Sikandar Raza and Adil Rashid.
The international line-up gives supporters plenty of potential match-ups to follow throughout the month-long competition.
ILT20 Season 5 teams and squads
All six franchises have announced squads for the 2026 competition.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ squad includes Andre Fletcher, Colin Munro, Sunil Narine, Jason Holder and Moeen Ali, alongside Finn Allen and Usman Tariq.
Desert Vipers will feature Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Shimron Hetmyer.
Dubai Capitals’ line-up includes Phil Salt, Rovman Powell, Dasun Shanaka, Faf du Plessis, Marcus Stoinis and Noor Ahmad.
Gulf Giants will have Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Alzarri Joseph, Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone and David Miller.
MI Emirates’ squad includes Jonny Bairstow, Kusal Perera, Romario Shepherd, Rashid Khan, Nicholas Pooran and Chris Jordan.
Sharjah Warriorz will feature James Vince, Tom Banton, Adam Milne, Adil Rashid, Mohammad Nabi and Sikandar Raza.
Supporters can check official tournament channels for complete squad details and updates during the season.
What UAE cricket fans need to know
ILT20 Season 5 runs from 21 November to 20 December 2026, with matches scheduled in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Children’s tickets start at Dhs 10, adult tickets at Dhs 20 for league and playoff matches, and final tickets at Dhs 30. Families can book the Sixes Lounge Family Pass for Dhs 500 for league and playoff matches or Dhs 650 for the final.
Online tickets are available through the official ILT20 ticketing website and Platinumlist, while physical box offices in Dubai and Sharjah are scheduled to open on 14 November.
With the defending champions facing MI Emirates in the opening fixture and the final set for Dubai International Stadium, fans can plan their visits around individual matches, family packages or the tournament’s closing weekend.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
