Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

ILT20 2025 begins on December 2, 2025, and concludes on January 4, 2026. The opening match will be played between Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers at the Dubai International Stadium, while the final is scheduled for the first week of January at one of the UAE’s major venues.

There are six franchises competing in the upcoming season. These are Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, Desert Vipers, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriorz. Each franchise is privately owned, with several backed by well-known sports groups connected to the IPL and WPL.

The biggest difference is that ILT20 allows up to nine overseas players in a team’s playing XI, far more than most leagues. In addition, every squad must include UAE cricketers, one Associate nation player, and two players under the age of 23. This rule not only makes the league globally diverse but also ensures development opportunities for young and emerging players.

The 2025 edition will mark the league’s first-ever live player auction, replacing the earlier draft model. Over 800 players have entered the pool, including 24 from India. Ravichandran Ashwin is the standout name, entering with the highest base price of USD 120,000, making his participation one of the most anticipated stories of the season.

The Gulf Giants won the inaugural season in 2023, MI Emirates were crowned champions in 2024, and Dubai Capitals lifted the trophy in 2025. The fact that each edition has had a different winner highlights the competitive balance and unpredictability of the league.

Fans in India will be able to watch all ILT20 matches live on Zee TV, Zee Cinema, and Zee Anmol Cinema. Digital streaming will be available on Zee5, which will also provide commentary in multiple languages to cater to a wide audience.

ILT20 has secured a wide global broadcast footprint. In the USA and Canada, matches will be shown on Willow TV, while fans in the UK can tune into BT Sport and Zee TV. Fox Cricket will carry the league in Australia, Abu Dhabi Sports and Myco will broadcast across the Middle East, A Sports and PTV Sports in Pakistan, and T Sports in Bangladesh.

The tournament will be played across three world-class venues in the UAE. These are the Dubai International Stadium, Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Each venue is well known for hosting international matches and has been upgraded with fan zones and entertainment facilities for the tournament.

Instead of traditional awards, ILT20 has introduced a unique belt system to honor top performers. The Red Belt is given to the Most Valuable Player, the Green Belt to the highest run-scorer, the White Belt to the leading wicket-taker, and the Blue Belt to the best UAE player. This has quickly become one of the league’s most recognizable features.

Some of the most exciting names in the 2025 season include Ravichandran Ashwin, who will make his debut in the league, Shai Hope from the West Indies, Fazalhaq Farooqi of Afghanistan, UAE star Muhammad Waseem, and England’s James Vince. Each of these players has the potential to dominate matches and shape the season.

Like most franchise leagues, teams earn two points for every win, one point for a no result, and no points for a loss. When two or more teams are tied on points, Net Run Rate (NRR) is used to separate them. The top four teams at the end of the league stage qualify for the playoffs.

The ILT20 Development Tournament is a feeder event organized to scout emerging cricketers from the UAE and other Associate nations. Its aim is to give lesser-known players competitive exposure and a pathway to join the main league. In 2025, the Sharjah Warriorz Development squad won this tournament, showcasing the depth of talent coming through.

Active Indian internationals and IPL players are not allowed to participate due to BCCI regulations. However, retired Indian players are free to take part. This is why Ravichandran Ashwin’s participation in the 2025 season is significant, as he becomes one of the first high-profile Indian cricketers to feature in ILT20.

Yes, tickets will be available online through the official ILT20 platforms as well as trusted ticketing partners like Platinumlist. Fans will also have the option of purchasing e-tickets that can be scanned directly at stadium entrances, making the process faster and easier.

In just two seasons, ILT20 has recorded more than 340 million viewers worldwide, with India contributing over 100 million alone. The tournament’s rapid growth shows its appeal not only among UAE fans but also across traditional cricket markets and new regions.