Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (‘Z’) has announced the broadcast of Season 5 of the DP World International League T20 (ILT20), reinforcing its sports content strategy through a high-visibility cricket property. The tournament will run from Sunday, 22 November to Sunday, 20 December 2026, with the final scheduled at the Dubai International Stadium.
The fifth edition of the six-team, 34-match league marks a continued shift to the November–December window, following its transition from the earlier January–February schedule. Season 4 delivered strong performance metrics, including 397 million unique viewers across TV and OTT, reflecting a 7.49% increase over Season 3. The previous final, held on 4 January 2026, saw the Desert Vipers secure their maiden title against the MI Emirates.
The broadcast underscores Zee’s focus on leveraging premium sports content to drive audience engagement and advertiser value. The network will air the matches across its linear TV channels and OTT platform, ZEE5, ensuring a hybrid distribution strategy that caters to both traditional and digital audiences. The company is also exploring additional visibility through its upcoming dedicated sports channels, indicating an expansion of its sports media portfolio.
Sandeep Mehrotra, chief operating officer – advertisement revenue, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited said, “We are excited to strengthen our association with DP World ILT20 as it enters its fifth season, building on the strong momentum of viewership growth and fan engagement witnessed in previous editions. Our focus is on delivering a high-impact and immersive experience for cricket fans through a seamless blend of platforms, and with Season 5, we aim to further expand the league’s reach, deepen audience connect, and reinforce its position as one of the most compelling T20 leagues globally.”
David White, ceo, DP World ILT20 added, “We are pleased to confirm the DP World International League T20 Season 5 window. The biggest cricketing spectacle in the Gulf region will be played from Sunday, 22 November to Sunday, 20 December 2026. We are delighted with Season 4’s success. Season 4 was a major success, accumulating 397 million unique viewers across TV and OTT, a 7.49% increase over Season 3, driven by strong broadcast numbers, high spectator interest and the participation of top T20 stars, which further elevated the league’s quality.
“The DP World ILT20 continues to make massive strides and our strategic partnerships with Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation and Kuwait Cricket are already making a big impact. This year, these partnerships will be consolidated further through our development tournaments which will be played in both countries prior to Season 5.
“The DP World ILT20 Season 4 Player Auction was a great success as well and we are already gearing up for this year’s auction. There are a number of exciting announcements and initiatives that will be revealed in the coming days.”
The league’s growing popularity is further supported by its roster of international players, with Season 4 featuring names such as Sam Curran, Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik and Kieron Pollard, among others. These high-profile players contribute to the league’s positioning as a global T20 property with strong entertainment value.
Overall, the continued partnership between Zee and ILT20 reflects a strategic alignment between premium sports content and multi-platform distribution. By combining broadcast scale with digital accessibility, the network aims to enhance audience reach, drive advertiser engagement and strengthen its foothold in the competitive sports media landscape.
