It’s official! The biggest T20 cricket league in the Gulf is back, and it’s returning with a bang this December. The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) Season 4 is all set to begin on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, which also happens to be UAE National Day. Talk about perfect timing! The six-team, 34-match spectacle will run until Sunday, 4 January 2026, giving cricket fans plenty to cheer about as the year winds down.
The timing isn’t just about celebration — it’s also smart planning. The league has decided to shift from its usual January-February slot to December-January to make room for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in February and March 2026. This move means that players won’t have to choose between league play and national duty, and fans get uninterrupted, top-tier cricket all through winter.
“We are delighted to confirm that the DP World International League T20 Season 4 will commence on the UAE National Day – Eid-Al-Etihad – which is one of the most important days on the UAE calendar,” said Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman of ILT20 and Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board.
A National Day to Remember
Launching the league on UAE National Day isn’t just symbolic — it’s a celebration in every sense. As the country marks its foundation, the cricket world will also join in with fireworks of its own — quite literally. It’s a chance to bring together communities, cultures, and cricket fanatics in one of the UAE’s most electrifying months.
“The UAE National Day is the day where we celebrate the United Arab Emirates which is home to people from around the world including millions of diehard cricket fans. It is a real honour for us to join the nation in the UAE National Day 2025 celebrations with the launch of the region’s biggest T20 league – the DP World ILT20 Season 4, on the same day,” added Al Zarooni.
Why The New Schedule Works
After a lot of discussion and planning, the decision to shift the tournament window just made sense. With the ICC T20 World Cup looming in early February, the December-to-January slot gives players ample breathing room to perform in both tournaments.
“Following extensive discussions with all our stakeholders, we believe the 2 December 2025 to 4 January 2026 tournament window is ideal for the DP World International League T20 Season 4. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins in early February hence it was important for us to start and finish Season 4 well before the tournament as it will allow the players playing both the DP World ILT20 and the T20 World Cup to prepare for national duty. In addition, we feel that the December-January window will provide the teams the best opportunity to access a bigger pool of players,” said David White, CEO of DP World ILT20.
Massive Momentum from Season 3
The buzz around Season 4 isn’t coming out of nowhere. Season 3 was a massive hit, pulling in strong broadcast numbers and thrilling fans, with top-quality cricket. The final match — a heart-stopping game where the Dubai Capitals edged out the Desert Vipers — was played in front of a packed stadium at Dubai International Stadium on 9 February 2025. It was a nail-biter that went right down to the last over.
“Season 3 was a big success with outstanding broadcast and digital numbers as the fans enjoyed a step-up in the quality of cricket,” said White. “The teams gave their absolute all across the hugely competitive 34-tournament matches which concluded with a nail-biting final won by the Dubai Capitals in the last over of the match in front of a packed Dubai International Stadium. We are now fully focused on making an even bigger impact as we turn our attention to Season 4.”
Star Power on Display
The DP World ILT20 isn’t short on firepower. Last season featured a star-studded lineup, including Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, David Warner, Fakhar Zaman, and Jason Holder, to name just a few. Sam Curran took home the red belt for being the Player of the Tournament, while Shai Hope bagged the green belt for most runs, and Fazalhaq Farooqi earned the white belt for the highest wicket tally.
With such high-caliber international players gracing UAE stadiums, fans can expect nothing short of a world-class T20 experience. It’s not just a league anymore—it’s a movement that’s fast becoming a cornerstone of the global cricket calendar.
What’s Next?
All eyes are now on Season 4, as organisers gear up for what’s expected to be the most festive and widely watched edition yet. With the UAE’s National Day as its backdrop and the growing stature of the ILT20 across the cricketing world, this is more than just a sports event—it’s a celebration of cricket, community, and culture.
So, whether you’re a lifelong fan or a newcomer to the game, December 2025 is shaping up to be one for the books. Cricket in the desert under the winter sun? Count us in.
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