In a strategic shake-up, the 2025-26 edition of the International League T20 (ILT20) has been advanced to a December-January slot, with an aim to steer clear of the packed cricket calendar and wrap up before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The fourth season of UAE’s premier franchise league will now run from December 2, 2025, to January 4, 2026. This shift marks a deviation from its traditional early-year schedule, which often overlapped with SA20, parts of the BBL, BPL, and even the PSL in earlier years. The decision comes amid mounting pressure from global tournament clashes and player fatigue. ILT20 chief executive David White said, “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.” Read also: Virat Kohli's Test Retirement Wasn’t Voluntary? Claims Report New window aims for cleaner calendar, stronger squads This year, ILT20 will kick off on UAE’s National Day (Eid Al Etihad)—an occasion that adds both symbolic and celebratory weight to the season opener. Though a slight overlap with South Africa’s SA20 (from December 26) and Australia’s BBL is inevitable, the reshuffle grants teams greater access to top-tier players before national duties commence. ILT20 chairman and Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni remarked, “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.” So far, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Dubai Capitals have claimed titles in the league’s first three editions. Whether this new schedule becomes a permanent fixture remains to be seen.