Gulf Giants vs AD Knight Riders ILT20 2026 in Dubai

Gulf Giants vs AD Knight Riders brings DP World ILT20 cricket to Dubai International Stadium in Dubai Sports City on Thursday 3 December 2026, the day after UAE National Day. It is a 6.30pm match under the lights, and the first of two meetings between the sides in three days, with the return fixture in Abu Dhabi on 5 December.

The game falls in the second week of Season 5 of the UAE’s franchise T20 league, which runs until 20 December 2026 across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Dubai hosts 15 of the season’s matches, including the final, Abu Dhabi has 11 and Sharjah eight, and the season was moved earlier than before to avoid a clash with South Africa’s SA20.

Gulf Giants: The First Champions, Rebuilt

Gulf Giants were the league’s first champions, winning the inaugural ILT20 title in 2023 with a seven-wicket victory in the final. For Season 5 they have spent heavily on batting firepower. Before the auction they signed South Africa’s David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen, both making their ILT20 debuts this season, and retained Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai and Zimbabwe seamer Blessing Muzarabani.

At the Season 5 player auction in Dubai they then broke the league’s auction record twice, landing England’s Liam Livingstone and Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, before Fazalhaq Farooqi set a higher mark later in the same auction. A middle order with Miller, Klaasen and Livingstone is one of the most destructive in the league on paper, and an evening game in Dubai is a good chance to see it in action. The Giants opened their campaign against Sharjah Warriorz in Sharjah on 22 November and met Dubai Capitals at this ground on 28 November, so by this stage the new combinations should be settling in.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Chase a First Title

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are still waiting for their first trophy: the four ILT20 titles so far have gone to Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers. They have reshaped their overseas group for Season 5, signing New Zealand opener Finn Allen, who also makes his ILT20 debut, West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder and Matthew Tromp before the auction.

The Knight Riders play their home games at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, so this is an away night for them, a day after they host the defending champions Desert Vipers on National Day. The two teams have shared competitive encounters in past seasons, and the back-to-back fixtures give both a quick chance at revenge. Final playing elevens are confirmed closer to match day, so check team news if you are going to see a particular player.

Gulf Giants vs AD Knight Riders at Dubai International Stadium

Dubai International Stadium sits on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road in Dubai Sports City and is the busiest ILT20 venue. Seating is unreserved and first come, first served in all areas except the Platinum Enclosure, which has assigned seats, and some areas have restricted views. Gates open at 4.30pm, two hours before the first ball, so there is time to find your place before the toss.

The ticket page says parking is available. By public transport, take the Red Line (Route 2020) to Dubai Internet City Metro Station and change to the F34 bus to Dubai Sports City. Taxis can take you straight to the stadium. There is no bag drop or storage on site, so pack only what you need for the match.

Entry Rules for Families and Fans

Children aged five and above need a ticket. Under-fives enter free on an adult’s lap, one child per adult, and every adult needs their own ticket. 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. Weapons, fireworks and pyrotechnics, metal cans, glass bottles and banners with political, religious, offensive or race-related messages are prohibited. 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.

You can buy up to 10 tickets per match, and tickets are emailed 48 hours before the game, so save them to your phone before you set off.

More Gulf Giants and Knight Riders Fixtures

The return match follows two days later at Zayed Cricket Stadium in AD Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants, a good excuse for a weekend trip to the capital. Gulf Giants also play twice against Dubai Capitals at this ground, and the second of those meetings is on 10 December in Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants.

For the full season and other fixtures across the Emirates, browse our sports events in the UAE, and for everything else on that week see things to do in Dubai and things to do in December.