The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) is set for a historic moment as it conducts its first-ever player auction for Season 4.
The event will play a decisive role in shaping the six participating squads, offering a mix of international stars, UAE cricketers and Associate Nation talents.
ILT20 Auction Schedule and Venue
- Date: Wednesday, 1 October 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM GST/ 3:30 PM IST
- Venue: Four Seasons Hotel, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai
- Live Streaming: ZEE5 and DP World ILT20's YouTube channel
This marks the league's inaugural player auction after three seasons of direct signings.
Team Purse and Spending Rules
- Each franchise starts with USD 800,000 available at the auction, along with any leftover funds from the USD 1.2 million retention kitty used earlier.
- The final spend for each franchise must be between USD 1.5 million and USD 2 million across their full squad.
- Teams may spend an additional USD 250,000 on up to two Wildcard signings outside the auction window.
Squad Composition Rules
Each squad must consist of 19 to 21 players (excluding Wildcards) with specific composition criteria:
- Minimum 11 players from ICC Full Member countries
- 4 players from UAE
- 1 player from Kuwait
- 1 player from Saudi Arabia
- 2 players from other ICC Associate Nations
Additionally, franchises are allowed:
- One Right-to-Match (RTM) option for a UAE cricketer who featured for them in ILT20 Season 3 or was part of their development squad.
Player Registration and Base Prices
- Registrations were completed between July and September 2025.
- Players are categorised by nationality and role (marquee, capped, uncapped, specialists).
- Base Price categories: USD 10,000, USD 40,000 and USD 80,000.
If a signed player is unavailable due to injury, international duty, or lack of NOC, he can be replaced until the end of the league phase. Replacement players do not have to come from the initial auction pool.
Auction Mechanics
- Players will be auctioned in sets (Full Member, Associate, UAE, Saudi, Kuwait).
- Within each set, names will be drawn randomly, and bidding will begin at the player's base price.
- Accelerated Rounds will follow if franchises still have spots to fill.
- The auction will close once all teams have met their minimum squad and spend requirements.
Tournament Schedule
- Start Date: Tuesday, 2 December 2025 (UAE National Day - Eid Al Etihad)
- Number of Teams: 6
- Matches: 34
- Final: Sunday, 4 January 2026
The opening clash is expected
to be a blockbuster, befitting the UAE's National Day celebrations.
Why This Auction Matters
The ILT20 Season 4 auction is a landmark for the league, moving from direct contract system to an IPL-style auction format. It brings more transparency, competitive balance, and additional opportunities for Associate Nation players while ensuring UAE cricketers are given a prominent place in league structures.
