AD Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants ILT20 2026 in Abu Dhabi

AD Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants brings DP World ILT20 Season 5 cricket to Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday 5 December 2026. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders host Gulf Giants in an evening T20 under the lights, with the first ball at 6:30pm and the gates opening two hours earlier at 4:30pm.

It is one of the capital’s home fixtures in a season that runs between 22 November and 20 December 2026, so for Abu Dhabi cricket fans it is a chance to see the local franchise without making the trip to Dubai or Sharjah.

DP World ILT20 Season 5

The DP World International League T20, known as the ILT20, is the UAE’s franchise T20 league, bringing international stars and UAE players together in six teams. Season 5 features 34 matches shared between Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah over four weeks, and it is the first time the league has been played entirely before Christmas, leaving January free.

The title has changed hands almost every year. Gulf Giants won the inaugural season in 2023, MI Emirates took the 2024 crown, Dubai Capitals won in 2025, and Desert Vipers finally lifted the trophy in January 2026, beating MI Emirates by 46 runs in the Season 4 final in Dubai with Sam Curran as captain and Player of the Tournament. With no team able to defend its title for long, every group-stage game matters in the race for the play-offs.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants: the two teams

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are the capital’s franchise and part of the Knight Riders family of teams, which also includes Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. Playing at Zayed Cricket Stadium, they are the side the home crowd will be behind on Saturday night, hoping to push the capital’s side towards a first ILT20 title.

Gulf Giants, owned by the Adani Group, were the league’s first champions, beating Desert Vipers in the 2023 final. They arrive in Abu Dhabi as one of the league’s established sides and a team with a winning pedigree in this competition. Previous meetings between the two have been competitive affairs, and with 20 overs a side there is rarely a quiet spell for long.

Squads and captains for Season 5 are confirmed by the franchises closer to the tournament, so check the official ILT20 channels for the latest team news before match day.

Zayed Cricket Stadium on match night

Zayed Cricket Stadium sits within the Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub in Khalifa City. Opened in 2004, it has hosted Test matches, ICC tournaments and IPL games, and it is one of the three host grounds for ILT20 Season 5. Seating is unreserved across all areas on a first come, first served basis, so groups who want to sit together should arrive together. Some seats may have a restricted view of the pitch.

T20 cricket is fast, easy to follow and finished within an evening, which makes this a good first match for newcomers as well as a regular fixture for supporters. The December evening is also far more comfortable than an afternoon in the stands.

A T20 match usually lasts around three and a half hours, so with a 6:30pm start you can expect play to finish in the late evening. If you want to make a cricket weekend of it, Zayed Cricket Stadium stages a second ILT20 game the very next day, giving you the chance to watch four of the league’s six teams in Abu Dhabi in less than 24 hours.

Tickets, entry rules and getting there

You can buy up to 10 tickets per match, and tickets are emailed 48 hours before the game. Children aged 5 and above need their own ticket. Children under five can enter without one if they sit on an adult’s lap, with one child per adult. Anyone under 15 must be with an adult at all times, and photo ID may be requested to check ages.

Alcohol cannot be brought into the venue and smoking is only allowed in designated areas. Prohibited items include weapons, fireworks and pyrotechnics, metal cans and glass bottles, and banners with political, religious, offensive or race-related messages. Outside food and drinks, drones, strollers, umbrellas, camping chairs and oversized bags are restricted and will not be stored. Betting is not allowed and bags may be searched on entry.

By car, head along Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, then take the Abu Dhabi to Al Ain Truck Road (E30). Turn onto Al Mudwi Street, continue on Al Mabrouk Street and take the second exit at the two roundabouts that follow. The ticket page recommends using GPS, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are an easy alternative.

For more matches, see our sports events in the UAE. The same ground hosts MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz the following afternoon, and our guides to things to do in Abu Dhabi and things to do in December cover the rest of the weekend.