The fourth season of the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) is set to take place from December 2, 2025, to January 4, 2026, marking a significant shift from its usual January-February window. This adjustment has been made to avoid a congested period on the global T20 calendar, which typically includes overlapping tournaments such as South Africa’s SA20, Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), Bangladesh’s BPL, and in the past, Pakistan’s PSL. More importantly, the revised schedule ensures the tournament concludes well before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin in early February 2026. This change allows international players participating in both the ILT20 and the World Cup ample time to rest and prepare for national duty. According to ILT20 CEO David White, the new window was chosen after extensive consultations with stakeholders and is seen as ideal for attracting a broader pool of players while maintaining high competitive standards. The tournament will now begin on December 2, which is also the United Arab Emirates’ National Day, giving the league a celebratory launch in conjunction with the country's national pride. ILT20 chairman and Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni highlighted the significance of aligning the league's start with this national occasion, emphasizing the multicultural cricket fanbase in the UAE. Although the move is strategic and timely, it is not yet confirmed whether this will become the standard window for the league in the future. Since its inception, the ILT20 has featured six teams, with the Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Dubai Capitals winning the first three titles, respectively. The upcoming edition aims to enhance the league’s profile by optimizing timing and ensuring maximum availability of top-tier talent.