Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates ILT20 2026 in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates ILT20 2026 in Abu Dhabi is billed as the capital’s derby, played at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Khalifa City on Thursday 26 November. Both franchises use the ground as a home venue, gates open at 4:30pm, and the first ball of this DP World ILT20 Season 5 match is at 6:30pm, under the lights on the eve of the weekend.

Why it is called the Abu Dhabi derby

Zayed Cricket Stadium is home to both teams in the ILT20, which is what gives this fixture its local edge. The ticket listing notes that MI Emirates have had the upper hand in most of their previous meetings, but that the rivalry is growing, and the Knight Riders will be looking for a home crowd to help close the gap. Expect plenty of purple and gold in the stands for the hosts, and the blue of the wider MI family on the other side.

The two sides belong to two of the biggest names in franchise cricket. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are part of the Knight Riders group behind Kolkata Knight Riders and Trinbago Knight Riders, and they are still chasing a first ILT20 title. MI Emirates are part of the Mumbai Indians network, won the title in Season 2 and reached the Season 4 final in January 2026, where they lost to Desert Vipers by 46 runs.

Players to look out for

Playing elevens are confirmed at the toss, but squad lists published ahead of the season give a good guide. MI Emirates include Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, one of the most successful bowlers in T20 history and a familiar face at this ground, and West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran. For the Knight Riders, New Zealand opener Finn Allen, who is making his ILT20 debut this season, brings an aggressive start at the top of the order.

The ILT20 also gives UAE-based cricketers a stage alongside the international names, and spotting the local players who make an impact is part of the fun on a match night.

The fixture list around it

Season 5 runs from late November to the final at Dubai International Stadium on 20 December, with six teams playing a double round-robin before the playoffs. This is the Knight Riders’ first home game of the season, after opening away to Dubai Capitals on 22 November. MI Emirates come into it having played Gulf Giants in Dubai on 24 November. The two sides meet again in Abu Dhabi on 30 November, so a quick rematch is only four days away, and with both sides sharing the ground, neither has an advantage in local knowledge of the pitch.

The venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium

Zayed Cricket Stadium opened in May 2004 and holds around 20,000 spectators. It sits at the Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub in Khalifa City, near the Abu Dhabi–Al Ain road, with two nursery grounds alongside the main oval. It is one of the UAE’s major international venues: it hosted Pakistan’s home Test series after 2009, has been Afghanistan’s home ground since 2010, staged the IPL opener in 2020 and hosted a semi-final at the 2021 T20 World Cup, the first ICC tournament held in the UAE. Its first one-day internationals, in April 2006, were two charity matches between Pakistan and India played to raise funds after the 2005 earthquake, and the UAE national team also uses the ground today.

Seating is first come, first served. Enclosures differ in their view of the pitch and in how much shade they offer, and some seats have restricted views. Wheelchair viewing areas are available if you select the wheelchair access option when booking.

By car, the ticket page suggests Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, then the Abu Dhabi–Al Ain Truck Road (E30), Al Mudwi Street and Al Mabrouk Street, taking the second exit at two roundabouts, with the stadium on the right. GPS is strongly recommended. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are also available.

Match day rules

• Children: under-5s enter without a ticket on an adult’s lap, one child per lap. Everyone aged 5 and over needs a ticket, under-15s must be with an adult at all times, and photo ID may be requested.
• Bags and items: outside food and drink, umbrellas, strollers, camping chairs, drones, flags, horns and oversized bags are restricted. There is no bag drop, and bags may be searched.
• Not allowed: alcohol, glass bottles, metal cans, lighters, fireworks and betting of any kind. Smoking is permitted only in designated areas.
• Tickets: emailed around 48 hours before the match and not collectable at the venue. Each ticket is single entry, with a limit of 10 per buyer.

Find more fixtures on our sports events in the UAE page, make a weekend of it with things to do in Abu Dhabi, or plan the month with things to do in November.