MUMBAI: ZEE Entertainment has announced that it will exclusively broadcast the third season of the DP World International League T20 (ILT20), starting on January 11, 2025. Cricket fans in India and across the globe can catch all the live action on ZEE’s 15 linear TV channels and the OTT platform ZEE5, along with syndicate partners’ TV and digital networks.
The third season of the DP World ILT20 will feature 34 thrilling matches, with the tournament set to kick off with a blockbuster clash between the defending champions MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium (DIS) on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST. The month-long tournament will conclude with the final on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
With a packed schedule across three iconic UAE venues—Dubai International Stadium, Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah Cricket Stadium—the season will offer fans a blend of afternoon and evening games. The weekday evening matches will begin at 8:00 PM IST, while the weekend evening games will start at 7:30 PM IST. On double-header weekends, the afternoon matches will begin at 3:30 PM IST.
The 34-match tournament will be available for exclusive live viewing on ZEE’s 15 widely distributed TV channels including &Pictures, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Zest, Zee Ganga, &Flix, and others. Fans can also catch the action on ZEE5, one of India’s leading OTT platforms. Additionally, the syndicate broadcast partners’ TV and digital networks will be revealed in the coming days.
Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer – Digital & Broadcast Revenue, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited, shared, “ZEE is delighted to present the third edition of DP World ILT20 and promises an electrifying experience to cricket fans in India and around the world. With the presence of the world’s finest and popular players, six leading sporting franchises, and iconic stadiums, we are confident this season will further solidify the league’s stature as one of the most-widely followed cricket events in the world. Our goal is to build upon the success of the previous year and make this the best season yet.”
The DP World ILT20 has become the world’s second-most-watched T20 cricket league, attracting 348 million unique viewers globally, including 221 million from India. ZEE’s comprehensive broadcasting strategy has been a key driver in this success, and for Season 3, ZEE aims to surpass 230 million viewers, expanding its reach through South Indian channels and offering fans an exhilarating month-long cricket carnival. The matches will be broadcast with Hindi and English commentary to cater to the diverse cricket-viewing audience in the Indian subcontinent.
David White, CEO of DP World ILT20, added, “We are set for a bigger and better edition of the DP World International League T20 as we unveil the schedule for Season 3. The first ball will be bowled at the iconic Dubai International Stadium on January 11, with defending champions MI Emirates facing the Dubai Capitals in a rematch of last season’s final. Our six teams have assembled a line-up of world-class T20 stars, as well as the best of UAE talent, to provide rich entertainment during the 34-match tournament.”
“The DP World ILT20 provides both spectators at the stadium and fans from around the world via our global broadcast partners ZEE Network the opportunity to witness riveting cricketing action. In the coming days we would be launching Season 3 match tickets with special offers for both the diehards and fans while encouraging families to come in numbers especially during the weekends at our fan carnivals at the stadiums in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
“The weather across UAE will be ideal for cricket for both afternoon and night games, for fans and tourists that are set to visit the country in these months, the DP World ILT20 is surely an experience they cannot afford to miss.”
The third season will feature players such as Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Alex Hales, David Warner, Rovman Powell, Chris Jordan, Nicholas Pooran, and several others. New additions like Jason Roy, Fakhar Zaman, Shai Hope, Lockie Ferguson, and Roston Chase will also debut in the tournament, bringing fresh energy to the competition. Additional UAE players will be announced next week.
With ZEE’s multi-channel, multi-platform strategy, the DP World ILT20 Season 3 promises to be a must-watch cricket spectacle, drawing even larger audiences and offering an unparalleled viewing experience for fans worldwide.
DP World International League T20 – Season 3 match schedule:
Saturday, 11 January – Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates, Dubai
Sunday, 12 January – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers, Abu Dhabi
Sunday, 12 January – Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriorz, Dubai
Monday, 13 January – MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, 14 January – Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers, Dubai
Wednesday, 15 January – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz, Abu Dhabi
Thursday, 16 January – Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates, Dubai
Friday, 17 January – Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals, Sharjah
Saturday, 18 January – Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai
Saturday, 18 January – Gulf Giants vs Dubai Capitals, Sharjah
Sunday, 19 January – Sharjah Warriorz vs MI Emirates, Sharjah
Sunday, 19 January – Gulf Giants vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai
Monday, 20 January – Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers, Dubai
Tuesday, 21 January – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates, Abu Dhabi
Wednesday, 22 January – Desert Vipers vs Sharjah Warriorz, Dubai
Thursday, 23 January – Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants, Dubai
Friday, 24 January – MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Abu Dhabi
Saturday, 25 January – Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers, Sharjah
Saturday, 25 January – MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants, Abu Dhabi
Sunday, 26 January – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals, Abu Dhabi
Sunday, 26 January – Sharjah Warriorz vs Gulf Giants, Sharjah
Monday, 27 January – MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, 28 January – Dubai Capitals vs Sharjah Warriorz, Dubai
Wednesday, 29 January – Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants, Dubai
Thursday, 30 January – Sharjah Warriorz vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Sharjah
Friday, 31 January – Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates, Dubai
Saturday, 1 February – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants, Abu Dhabi
Sunday, 2 February – MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriorz, Abu Dhabi
Sunday, 2 February – Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai
Monday, 3 February – Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals, Sharjah
Wednesday, 5 February – Qualifier 1 – Seed 1 vs Seed 2, Dubai
Thursday, 6 February – Eliminator – Seed 3 vs Seed 4, Abu Dhabi
Friday, 7 February – Qualifier 2 – Loser of Q1 vs Winner of Eliminator, Sharjah
Sunday, 9 February – Final – Winner of Q1 vs Winner of Q2, Dubai
Venues:
Abu Dhabi – Zayed Cricket Stadium
Dubai – Dubai International Stadium
Sharjah – Sharjah Cricket Stadium