Dubai (SBR): The DP World ILT20 Schools Cup began this week across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Now in its third edition, the competition stands as the premier national schools’ cricket tournament in the UAE, designed to encourage participation and nurture young cricketing talent. The DP World ILT20 Schools Cup is part of the long-term vision to strengthen the foundations of UAE cricket, the event plays a crucial role in identifying and developing the next generation of players.
Past champions include GEMS Modern School (2023) and Cambridge High School Abu Dhabi (2024). This year’s edition introduces an exciting new addition — a girls’ competition, which will feature nine school cricket teams for the first time – matches to be played with proper leather cricket balls, reflecting the rapid growth of the sport among girls across the Emirates.
The DP World ILT20 Schools Cup provides a direct pathway from schools to the DP World ILT20, offering young and aspiring cricketers a platform to showcase their skills. A total of 39 school teams are participating, each vying for the coveted title of DP World ILT20 Schools Cup Champion.
The tournament, open to school XI players, begins this week and will culminate on 22 November 2025 at the ICC Academy, Dubai. The final match will form part of the DP World ILT20 Junior Cricket Festival, adding to the excitement in the lead-up to DP World ILT20 Season 4 which will be played from Tuesday, 2 December 2025 to Sunday, 4 January 2026.
Through this initiative, the DP World ILT20 franchises will also partner with schools to foster stronger connections with students and build a loyal fan base for their home city teams. The winner of the final stage will be crowned the DP World ILT20 Schools Champion for the year 2025.
