After avoiding a conflict with SA20, ILT20 reduced team salary caps by 20%

Ahead of the 2025–26 season, the International League T20 (ILT20) has lowered team salary caps by 20%. The previous cap of US$2.5 million, which was applied in the league’s first three editions, has been lowered to US$2 million per franchise.

The decision comes after the UAE-based tournament’s schedule was changed to avoid a direct matchup with South Africa’s SA20, which has been vying for the same pool of foreign talent.

The ILT20 season for 2025–2026 will now run from December 2–January 4, with a brief overlap with the SA20.

The teams feel they have overspent on player salaries in past seasons, according to an ESPNcricinfo report. However, because of the more favourable window, they are still optimistic that many elite players will continue to play in the International League T20, even at somewhat lower earnings. David White, the CEO of International League T20, stated that the league would be able to “access a bigger pool of players” as a result of the scheduling shift.

For the next season, the International League T20 is also anticipated to switch from the direct signing strategy that was employed for the first three seasons to an auction model. Teams are currently concentrating on player retention in preparation for the September auction. Franchises will be permitted to spend an additional US$250,000 on wildcard signings in addition to the standard quota.

Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), which has had difficulty retaining elite foreign players in previous years, may also gain from the ILT20’s wage cap drop. To play in the ILT20, a number of foreign players have either missed the BBL or left in the middle. The BBL intends to increase player retention in the forthcoming season by lowering its salary cap in the ILT20.

The ILT20’s long-term broadcast agreement with Zed TV provides significant support for its financial model. Only two UAE players are included in each playing XI, which has led to criticism of the league for its lack of local player presence. The Gulf Giants (2023) and MI Emirates (2024) have won the previous tournaments, and the Dubai Capitals are the reigning champions.

of US$2.5 million, which was applied in the league’s first three editions, has been lowered to US$2 million per franchise.

The decision comes after the UAE-based tournament’s schedule was changed to avoid a direct matchup with South Africa’s SA20, which has been vying for the same pool of foreign talent. The ILT20 season for 2025–2026 will now run from December 2–January 4, with a brief overlap with the SA20.

The teams feel they have overspent on player salaries in past seasons, according to an ESPNcricinfo report. However, because of the more favourable window, they are still optimistic that many elite players will continue to play in the ILT20, even at somewhat lower earnings. David White, the CEO of ILT20, stated that the league would be able to “access a bigger pool of players” as a result of the scheduling shift.

For the next season, the ILT20 is also anticipated to switch from the direct signing strategy that was employed for the first three seasons to an auction model. Teams are currently concentrating on player retention in preparation for the September auction. Franchises will be permitted to spend an additional US$250,000 on wildcard signings in addition to the standard quota.

Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), which has had difficulty retaining elite foreign players in previous years, may also gain from the ILT20’s wage cap drop. To play in the ILT20, a number of foreign players have either missed the BBL or left in the middle. The BBL intends to increase player retention in the forthcoming season by lowering its salary cap in the ILT20.

The ILT20’s long-term broadcast agreement with Zed TV provides significant support for its financial model. Only two UAE players are included in each playing XI, which has led to criticism of the league for its lack of local player presence. The Gulf Giants (2023) and MI Emirates (2024) have won the previous tournaments, and the Dubai Capitals are the reigning champions.