The countdown to the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) Season 4 has just turned historic. For the very first time in the league’s journey, a player auction will be held to shape the squads that will light up UAE grounds this winter. Scheduled for Wednesday, 1 October 2025, the auction will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai and promises to be a defining moment for both franchises and players.
This is no ordinary draft. With money on the table, strategies in play, and a global player pool lined up, the auction will bring new drama to the build-up for Season 4. Here’s everything you need to know:
When and Where?
- Date: Wednesday, 1 October 2025
- Time: 2 PM GST
- Venue: Four Seasons Hotel, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai
The event marks a landmark shift for the league, moving away from traditional drafts to a competitive bidding system that puts franchises head-to-head in pursuit of cricket’s top names.
Fans can catch the live stream of the auction in India on ZEE5 and YouTube (@ILT20onZee), and globally on YouTube (@ILT20Official).
Auction Purses and Spending Rules
Each franchise enters the auction with a minimum purse of USD 800,000 (plus any carryover from their USD 1.2M direct signing and retention budget).
- Minimum spend: USD 1.5M
- Maximum spend: USD 2M
- Wildcard signings: Teams can add up to two Wildcards outside the auction for USD 250,000 each.
By the end of the day, every squad must be between 19 and 21 players, excluding Wildcards.
Squad Composition Rules
Franchises have to balance their spending with strict composition guidelines. Every team must include:
- 11+ players from ICC Full Member nations
- 4 players from the UAE (including 1 U-23)
- 1 player from Kuwait
- 1 player from Saudi Arabia
- 2 players from other ICC Associate Nations
This ensures that regional players from emerging cricket nations also get a chance to share the field with international stars.
Player Registration and Base Prices
The registration window ran between July and September, and now the final auction pool is ready. Players fall into three base price brackets:
- USD 80,000
- USD 40,000
- USD 10,000
All UAE players will start at the USD 10,000 base price, with marquee international names placed in higher categories.
How the Auction Will Work
Players will be divided into sets based on:
- Status: Full Member, Associate Nation, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
- Specialisation: Batter, bowler, all-rounder, wicketkeeper
- The auctioneer will announce each player and their base price.
- Bidding will continue until no further offers come in.
- Accelerated rounds will allow unsold players to re-enter if franchises have remaining slots.
Franchises will need to keep a close eye on quotas and budgets while chasing their dream picks.
UAE Player Right to Match
In a boost for local talent, franchises will be allowed to use one Right-to-Match (RTM) card for a UAE player who was either part of their development squad or featured for them in Season 3.
This rule is designed to reward continuity and help young UAE cricketers secure their spots in top teams.
Why This Auction Matters
For fans, the auction is more than a roster-building exercise. It represents a new chapter in the ILT20 story, bringing the excitement of bidding wars, surprise buys, and underdog picks.
For players from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Associate Nations, it’s a rare opportunity to step into the limelight on a global T20 stage. And for franchises, it’s a chance to mix star power with regional promise, creating line-ups that are competitive and diverse.
Season 4 – The Bigger Picture
The DP World ILT20 Season 4 kicks off on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, coinciding with UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad). The six-team, 34-match tournament will run through the festive season, culminating in the grand final on Sunday, 4 January 2026.
With marquee internationals, seasoned UAE campaigners, and fresh Associate Nation talent all set to feature, the auction will set the tone for what promises to be ILT20’s biggest season yet.
