Overview
- The UAE-based franchise league confirmed Season 5 will run from November 22 to December 20, 2026 with six teams playing 34 matches.
- Games will be staged in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, with the final set for Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
- League officials positioned the earlier dates to reduce overlap with other T20 events such as South Africa’s SA20.
- CEO David White said partnerships with Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation and Kuwait Cricket will deepen through pre-season development tournaments hosted in both countries.
- The league is preparing a player auction and promised further announcements, while Desert Vipers enter as defending champions after Season 4 and Sam Curran was the tournament’s standout performer.