Brief

DP World ILT20 Season 5 auction set for Oct 1 with $1.3 million base purse per franchise

More than 400 players from 23 nations will be available, and franchises can spend up to $2 million.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 30 Sep 2026 16:44:33 GMT

Dubai will host the DP World ILT20 Season 5 player auction on 1 October, according to Gulf News.

The auction begins at 1 pm GST at the ICC Academy Indoors and features over 400 registered players from 23 countries competing for spots in six franchises.

Each franchise enters the auction with a base purse of $1.3 million (Dh 4.77 million) and may spend up to $2 million (Dh 7.34 million), with an additional $700,000 (Dh 2.57 million) allocated for pre‑auction signings. A wildcard signing is permitted after the auction for a maximum fee of $200,000 (Dh 734,500).

MI Emirates holds the largest purse at $1.39 million (Dh 5.10 million), followed by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at $1.365 million (Dh 5.01 million). Gulf Giants, Desert Vipers and Sharjah Warriorz each have $1.30 million (Dh 4.77 million) bases.

Players are grouped into three base‑price categories: $80,000, $40,000 and $10,000. The $80,000 slab includes global stars such as Babar Azam, Faf du Plessis and Tom Banton. The $40,000 slab features T20 regulars like Shadab Khan and Kusal Perera, while the $10,000 slab lists emerging talent and all UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia players.

Squads must comprise 18 to 23 players and meet nationality quotas. The ILT20 Season 5 runs from 21 November to 20 December, with matches at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Key facts

The ILT20 Season 5 auction takes place on 1 October at the ICC Academy Indoors in Dubai. (gulfnews.com)
Each franchise starts with a $1.3 million base purse and can spend up to $2 million. (gulfnews.com)
More than 400 players from 23 countries are registered for the auction. (gulfnews.com)
Players are divided into $80,000, $40,000 and $10,000 base‑price categories. (gulfnews.com)
MI Emirates has the largest purse at $1.39 million. (gulfnews.com)