Cricket fans in the UAE are in for a good time. The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) Season 4 is set to kick off on Tuesday, December 2, coinciding with the UAE National Day. The month-long tournament will run until Sunday,  January 4, 2026.

The league, now considered the Gulf region’s biggest cricket tournament, has moved from its usual January-February slot to avoid clashing with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which starts in February.

The competition features six teams with 34 thrilling matches that will be held across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

“The UAE is home to people from all over the world, and quite a large number of them are diehard cricket fans. Moreover, it’s an honour to launch DP World ILT20 Season 4 on UAE National Day,” said Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman of ILT20 and Vice-Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board. 

The new schedule also helps top players prepare for the T20 World Cup, while giving franchises access to a larger talent pool.

“Following extensive discussions with all our stakeholders, we believe the 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 teams the best opportunity to access a bigger pool of players,” said David White, CEO of ILT20.

In the last season, Dubai Capitals edged out Desert Vipers in a nail-biting final at a packed Dubai International Stadium. Season 3 featured international cricketing stars such as Nicholas Pooran, Sam Curran, David Warner, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and more.

Season 3 was a big success with outstanding broadcast and digital numbers, as the fans enjoyed a step-up in the quality of cricket. The teams gave their absolute all across the hugely competitive 34-tournament matches. We are fully focused on making an even bigger impact as we turn our attention to Season 4,” White added.

What to Expect in Season 4

• Start Date: December 2, 2025
• Final Match: January 4, 2026
• Teams: Six top-tier franchises
• Format: 34 matches 
• Star Power: Expect more global superstars this season

UFC is making a thrilling comeback to Abu Dhabi this summer. In partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the world’s top MMA organisation is bringing an action-packed night to Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Saturday, 26 July.

The main event will see former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker take on fast-rising Dutch contender Reinier de Ridder in a clash that’s set to shake up the division.

Whittaker vs De Ridder: Battle of the Middleweights

Australian fighter Robert Whittaker (27-8-0) is one of the UFC’s most respected names, with huge wins over Yoel Romero, Jared Cannonier, and Marvin Vettori. Now, he’s hungry for a comeback win.

Facing him is Reinier de Ridder (20-2-0) from the Netherlands, who has quickly become one to watch since joining UFC in late 2024. Known for his slick grappling and powerful finishes, de Ridder recently stunned fans by handing Bo Nickal his first-ever loss. He’s now eyeing a major win over the ex-champ.

More Explosive Fights on the Card

Nikita Krylov (Russia) vs Bogdan Guskov (Uzbekistan) – Light Heavyweight
Ramazan Temirov (Uzbekistan) vs Asu Almabayev (Kazakhstan) – Flyweight
Ibo Aslan (Turkey) vs Billy Elekana (USA) – Light Heavyweight

Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
When: July 26
Tickets: Starting at Dh295. Booking is open on www.etihadarena.ae or www.ticketmaster.ae

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) prepares for a return, most international cricket players are having to go through several travel permissions and last-minute approvals as they plan to return to India to finish the tournament. However, this is not the case, Marco Jansen.

The South African fast bowler has stationed himself in Dubai, using the break to stay close to the action, just a short flight from India. While uncertainty looms for many players, Jansen is all fired up as his team Punjab Kings, gears up for the league’s crucial final phase.

The BCCI is reportedly working to restart the IPL as early as the coming weekend, around May 15, pending final government clearance. With logistics in motion, the focus has shifted to recalling overseas players and coaching staff, many of whom had returned home during the brief suspension.

Among those staying committed to the cause is Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting. The former Australian captain was en route to Australia but made a sudden U-turn, deboarding his flight after learning of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He chose to remain in India and has since been encouraging the franchise’s international players to return.

“Soon after he learnt of the ceasefire, Ricky got off the plane. That shows his terrific character and commitment to the team,” said Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon told media sources. 

“We’re hopeful all our overseas players — Marco Jansen, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Xavier Bartlett — will be available when the IPL restarts, which should be very soon.”

While the four Australians, Stoinis, Inglis, Aaron Hardie, and Bartlett, flew back to Australia, in contrast, Jansen and Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai opted to remain in Dubai, avoiding travel delays and keeping themselves ready for a quick call-up.

Punjab Kings are also awaiting an update on Australian all-rounder Michael Owen, who was recently playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) before its postponement. Owen is currently in Dubai, though his clearance paperwork is still in progress.

With 15 points from 11 matches, Punjab Kings are placed third on the IPL table and remain in strong contention for the playoffs. The franchise has three league-stage matches remaining. It also awaits a decision from the BCCI regarding its abandoned match against Delhi Capitals on May 8, which was halted due to security concerns with Punjab at 122 for one in the 11th over.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been postponed indefinitely, after earlier plans to move the tournament to Dubai were scrapped. The final eight matches of PSL were scheduled to be held in the Emirates.