Hotels for ILT20 2027 — Sharjah

The International League T20 comes to the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium, one of the most storied grounds in the sport and a venue steeped in decades of memorable one-day and Twenty20 cricket. Its compact, intimate stands generate a wonderful atmosphere for the league's floodlit action. Sharjah, the cultural emirate, sits right next to Dubai, so visitors can enjoy its museums, souqs and Corniche while keeping the whole of Dubai within easy reach.

Stay in Sharjah near the ground, or in northern Dubai for a wider choice of hotels a short drive away, and book early for match days. The ILT20, launched in 2023, is already one of world cricket's richest young franchise leagues, and its January window makes a Sharjah match an easy, sunny add-on to a winter trip to the Emirates.

The International League T20 began in January 2023 as the United Arab Emirates' first major franchise Twenty20 tournament, organised by the Emirates Cricket Board and sponsored by DP World, and it quickly drew a cast of international stars to a short, fast campaign shared across the country's three grounds.

Sharjah Cricket Stadium is the most storied of them: opened in the early 1980s, it staged decades of international one-day cricket and holds the record for the most one-day internationals played at any single venue. Its compact stands sit close to the action and generate a terrific atmosphere for floodlit Twenty20, giving ILT20 nights in Sharjah a character all their own.

Gulf Giants won the inaugural title, with MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals and the Desert Vipers all champions since. Sharjah, the UAE's cultural emirate, offers museums, souqs and a handsome Corniche, and sits right alongside Dubai for an even wider choice of things to do.