ILT20 2025-26 Season Moves to December-January to Avoid Calendar Clashes
ILT20 Schedule Adjustment
In a significant change, the upcoming 2025-26 season of the International League T20 (ILT20) will now take place from December 2, 2025, to January 4, 2026. This adjustment aims to avoid conflicts with the busy cricket calendar and ensure the tournament concludes prior to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. This marks a shift from the league's usual early-year timing, which previously coincided with other tournaments like SA20, BBL, BPL, and PSL.
This decision is driven by the increasing challenges posed by overlapping global tournaments and player exhaustion. David White, the chief executive of ILT20, stated,
“After thorough discussions with our stakeholders, we believe that the tournament window from December 2, 2025, to January 4, 2026, is perfect for the DP World International League T20 Season 4. The ICC Men's T20 World Cup starts in early February, making it crucial for us to complete Season 4 well in advance, allowing players to prepare for their national teams.”
Note: Virat Kohli's Test retirement has sparked discussions, with reports suggesting it may not have been voluntary.
New Schedule for Enhanced Player Participation
This year, the ILT20 will commence on UAE’s National Day (Eid Al Etihad), adding a festive touch to the season's start. While there will be some overlap with South Africa’s SA20 starting December 26 and Australia’s BBL, the revised schedule allows teams to secure top players before they head off for international commitments.
Khalid Al Zarooni, chairman of ILT20 and vice-chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, expressed,
“UAE National Day is a celebration of our nation, which hosts a diverse population, including countless cricket enthusiasts. We are honored to launch the region's premier T20 league during the UAE National Day 2025 festivities.”
To date, the Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Dubai Capitals have each secured titles in the league's inaugural seasons. It remains to be seen if this new scheduling will become a long-term arrangement.