Some of the biggest players have made themselves available for the DP World ILT20 Season 5 player auction. Faf du Plessis, Babar Azam, Tom Banton, Phil Salt, Wanindu Hasaranga, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Liam Livingstone will all go under the hammer when franchises build their squads. The auction will take place on 1 October in Dubai at the ICC Academy, with more than 400 players from 23 countries available across three base-price slabs. Teams enter with purses starting at around $1.3 million plus any leftover funds from earlier signings, and each must end with a squad of 18 to 23 players that meets strict nationality rules.
Fans can expect a busy day of bidding as the six franchises lock in the overseas talent that will shape the campaign. The league will start from 22 November to 20 December across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, giving the new signings just a few weeks to settle before the first ball. With so many proven T20 performers available, the auction should deliver competitive squads and a strong season for supporters who follow the UAE’s flagship franchise competition. The combination of high-profile players and schedule has already generated plenty of interest ahead of the event.
ILT20 Season 5 Dates and Auction Details
The fifth season of the DP World International League T20 will be played from 22 November to 20 December 2026. All 34 matches, including the league stage and playoffs, will be played at the three main UAE venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, with the final set for Dubai International Stadium. By the end of the auction every team must have spent between $1.5 million and $2 million and assembled a squad of 18 to 23 players.
This also includes a minimum number of players from Full Member nations, the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other Associate countries. Right-to-match cards are available for previous players, and a wildcard option remains open after the auction. The earlier window was chosen to avoid clashes with other major T20 leagues, giving the competition a clear run through the end of the year and allowing the newly completed squads time to prepare before the first matches begin in late November.
