Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates ILT20 2026 in Sharjah

Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates in Sharjah is a Friday night DP World ILT20 Season 5 match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on 11 December 2026, with the home side taking on one of the league’s most successful franchises. Gates open at 4:30pm and the first ball is at 6:30pm, at a ground that has hosted more one-day internationals than any other in the world.

Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates: the home side against a serial finalist

MI Emirates have been one of the ILT20’s most consistent teams. They won the Season 2 title in 2024, beating Dubai Capitals by 45 runs in the final, and reached the final again in Season 4, when Desert Vipers beat them by 46 runs at Dubai International Stadium in January 2026. Their batter Muhammad Waseem was named Best UAE Player of Season 4, the fourth season in a row he has won that award.

Sharjah Warriorz have had a bumpier ride. They reached the playoffs in Season 3, alongside Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals and MI Emirates, but missed out in Season 4, when a five-wicket defeat to Desert Vipers here in Sharjah on 26 December 2025 ended their hopes in the final group game. That win made the Vipers the first team in ILT20 history to win eight group matches in a season, and they went on to lift the trophy. The listing notes that results between these two sides have been mixed over previous seasons, so this is not an easy one to call.

The franchises have strong backers. MI Emirates are owned by Reliance Industries, the group behind the IPL’s Mumbai Indians, while Sharjah Warriorz belong to Capri Global Holdings. As always in franchise cricket, squads change between seasons, so check each side’s announcements nearer the day for the players taking part.

A quick return fixture

This match comes just five days after the same two teams meet in Abu Dhabi on 6 December, when MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz is played at Zayed Cricket Stadium. Back-to-back meetings like this tend to sharpen a rivalry, and the Warriorz will have home conditions on their side the second time round.

The timing matters too. Season 5 of the DP World International League T20 has six teams playing 34 matches between 21 November and 20 December 2026, the league’s first season in a November and December window. Only the top four reach the playoffs, and by 11 December there are very few league games left. Sharjah also hosts one of the knockout games: ILT20 Qualifier 2 is played at this ground on Friday 18 December, two days before the final at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday 20 December. The ILT20 has crowned a different champion in each of its first four seasons, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers, so the Warriorz will be hoping Season 5 is their turn.

Sharjah Cricket Stadium: a record-breaking ground

Sharjah Cricket Stadium has a place in cricket history. The ground opened in 1982, staged its first one-day international in 1984 and became so busy that Guinness World Records recognised it for hosting the most ODIs at a single venue, a total that passed 200 by 2010. In September 2022, during the Asia Cup, it went on to break the record for the most international matches of any cricket ground, overtaking the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The stadium is on Second Industrial Street in Industrial Area 5. For ILT20 games every category is unreserved and first come, first served, and the enclosures differ in their view of the pitch and how much shade they get.

Getting there and entry rules

By car, take Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Road, then Second Industrial Street. Parking is available but is not included with tickets and is paid at the parking entrance. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are another option.

Children under five can enter without a ticket if they sit on an adult’s lap, one child per lap, and every adult needs a ticket. Children aged five and over need their own ticket, and anyone under 15 must be with an adult at all times; photo ID may be requested to confirm ages. Tickets are emailed 48 hours before the match, are valid for one entry only and are limited to 10 per person.

Alcohol cannot be brought in, and smoking is only allowed in designated areas. Outside food and drink are restricted unless medically required, and metal cans and glass bottles are only allowed if bought inside. Strollers, umbrellas and camping chairs are not admitted, and there is no bag drop or storage. Professional filming equipment, laser pointers, horns, drones, oversized bags and cool boxes are also restricted, and you may be searched on entry. No dress code is listed.

See more fixtures on our sports events in the UAE page, explore things to do in Sharjah, or browse things to do in December across the Emirates.