Zee Entertainment Agency Premier League T20 Preps for DP World ILT20 Season 3
As the excitement around cricket intensifies, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (Zeel) is gearing up for an electrifying season of the DP World International League T20 (ILT20). But before the third edition of this high-octane tournament begins, there’s a new event taking center stage—the Zee Entertainment Agency Premier League T20. This unique trade marketing initiative will set the tone for the DP World ILT20 Season 3, combining the spirit of cricket with industry camaraderie.
Let’s dive into how the Agency Premier League T20 is igniting the countdown to the grand cricket spectacle and all the thrilling action fans can look forward to in the UAE.
What is the Agency Premier League T20?
The Agency Premier League T20 is a one-of-a-kind tournament designed to bring together the media industry, featuring prominent media agencies from across India. This innovative event is all set to take place in three key cities: Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. The tournament not only highlights the fierce competition within the media space but also strengthens the collaboration between Zee Entertainment and its trade partners.
The Opening Ceremony: Star Power and Industry Collaboration
The Agency Premier League T20 will kick off in Bengaluru on December 16, 2024, with a grand opening ceremony that will feature Kannada film industry legend Ramesh Aravind. As the first leg of the tournament unfolds in Bengaluru, it promises to be a dynamic celebration of sports and business collaboration, showcasing the unifying power of cricket.
Matches will then move to Delhi on December 18, before culminating in Mumbai on December 20. The event is expected to be a fun-filled experience, bringing together media professionals and cricket enthusiasts alike.
The Stakes Are High: What to Expect from the Tournament
This tournament features a star-studded lineup of media agencies, each forming two teams that will battle it out in the cricket arena. The participating agencies include some of the biggest names in media and advertising, such as Group M, Dentsu, Havas Media, OMD, Publicis, and Mindshare Fulcrum, among others. These agencies will be competing in a format that mirrors the excitement of the DP World ILT20, making it the perfect primer for the upcoming season.
Ashish Sehgal, Zeel’s Chief Growth Officer of Digital & Broadcast Revenue, explained, “The Agency Premier League T20 showcases Zee’s commitment to engaging meaningfully with trade partners. Cricket’s unifying spirit resonates across India, and this initiative brings the excitement of ILT20 closer to the media fraternity while creating an innovative experience for cricket fans worldwide.”
DP World ILT20 Season 3: The Main Event
With the Agency Premier League T20 serving as a warm-up, all eyes will soon turn to the highly anticipated DP World International League T20 Season 3. This exciting season promises to be bigger and better, with Zee Entertainment set to broadcast the matches across 15 linear TV channels and ZEE5, one of India’s top OTT platforms.
Click here to see other broadcasting channels lists.
ILT20 UAE Schedule 2025
The action kicks off on January 11, 2025, with a blockbuster clash between the defending champions MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals at the iconic Dubai International Stadium. Cricket fans can expect non-stop action throughout the tournament, with the final match scheduled for February 9, 2025.
| Day, Date | Match (Versus) | Time (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 11 Jan | Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates | 6:00 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Sunday, 12 Jan | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers | 2:00 PM | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Sunday, 12 Jan | Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriors | 6:00 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Monday, 13 Jan | MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30 PM | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Tuesday, 14 Jan | Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers | 6:30 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Wednesday, 15 Jan | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriors | 6:30 PM | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Thursday, 16 Jan | Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates | 6:30 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Friday, 17 Jan | Sharjah Warriors vs Dubai Capitals | 6:30 PM | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah |
| Saturday, 18 Jan | Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 2:00 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Saturday, 18 Jan | Gulf Giants vs Dubai Capitals | 6:00 PM | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah |
| Sunday, 19 Jan | Sharjah Warriors vs MI Emirates | 2:00 PM | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah |
| Sunday, 19 Jan | Gulf Giants vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:00 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Monday, 20 Jan | Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers | 6:30 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Tuesday, 21 Jan | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates | 6:30 PM | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Wednesday, 22 Jan | Desert Vipers vs Sharjah Warriors | 6:30 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Thursday, 23 Jan | Dubai Capitals vs Gulf Giants | 6:30 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Friday, 24 Jan | MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30 PM | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Saturday, 25 Jan | Sharjah Warriors vs Desert Vipers | 2:00 PM | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah |
| Saturday, 25 Jan | MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants | 6:00 PM | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Sunday, 26 Jan | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals | 2:00 PM | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Sunday, 26 Jan | Sharjah Warriors vs Gulf Giants | 6:00 PM | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah |
| Monday, 27 Jan | MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers | 6:30 PM | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Tuesday, 28 Jan | Dubai Capitals vs Sharjah Warriors | 6:30 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Wednesday, 29 Jan | Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants | 6:30 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Thursday, 30 Jan | Sharjah Warriors vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:30 PM | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah |
| Friday, 31 Jan | Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates | 6:30 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Saturday, 1 Feb | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Gulf Giants | 6:00 PM | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Sunday, 2 Feb | MI Emirates vs Sharjah Warriors | 2:00 PM | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Sunday, 2 Feb | Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | 6:00 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Monday, 3 Feb | Desert Vipers vs Dubai Capitals | 6:00 PM | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah |
| Wednesday, 5 Feb | Qualifier 1: Seed 1 vs Seed 2 | 6:30 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Thursday, 6 Feb | Eliminator: Seed 3 vs Seed 4 | 6:30 PM | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Friday, 7 Feb | Qualifier 2: Loser of Q1 vs Winner of Eliminator | 6:30 PM | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah |
| Sunday, 9 Feb | Final: Winner of Q1 vs Winner of Q2 | 6:00 PM | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
DP World ILT20 2025 Playoffs:
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, 5 Feb | Qualifier 1: 1st vs 2nd | Dubai | 6:30 PM |
| Thurs, 6 Feb | Eliminator: 3rd vs 4th | Abu Dhabi | 6:30 PM |
| Fri, 7 Feb | Qualifier 2: Q1L vs EW | Sharjah | 6:30 PM |
| Sun, 9 Feb | Final: Q1W vs Q2W | Dubai | 6:00 PM |
UAE League Venues: The Heart of ILT20
The three iconic venues for the DP World ILT20 Season 3 are:
- Dubai International Stadium (DIS) – Known for its world-class facilities and vibrant atmosphere, DIS will host the opening match and several other key fixtures, including the final.
- Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Another top-tier venue, Zayed Cricket Stadium will feature some of the most thrilling games of the season.
- Sharjah Cricket Stadium – Renowned for its rich history in international cricket, Sharjah Cricket Stadium will host several exciting matchups during the tournament.
Zee’s Broadcast Strategy: Aiming for 230 Million Viewers
Zee Entertainment’s comprehensive broadcast strategy is set to expand the reach of DP World ILT20 Season 3 to an even larger audience than ever before. Following the success of last season, which attracted 348 million unique viewers globally, including 221 million from India, Zee aims to surpass 230 million viewers this year. This ambitious goal will be achieved through an expanded reach on South Indian channels and through ZEE5, Zee’s popular OTT platform.
In addition to expanding coverage across various regions, Zee Entertainment’s strategy focuses on delivering content in multiple languages, including Hindi, English, and regional languages, ensuring fans from all parts of India can enjoy the tournament.
A Global Audience: ILT20’s International Appeal
The DP World ILT20 is not just a domestic spectacle – it’s becoming one of the most-watched cricket leagues globally, with an expanding international audience. Zee Entertainment is set to work with syndicate broadcast partners to reach cricket fans around the world, making the tournament truly global.
The Line-Up: Stars to Watch Out For
Season 3 promises to showcase the very best in T20 cricket. Fans will witness some of the world’s most popular players, including:
- Andre Russell (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)
- David Warner (Dubai Capitals)
- Chris Jordan (Gulf Giants)
- Nicholas Pooran (MI Emirates)
- Shimron Hetmyer (Gulf Giants)
- Sunil Narine (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)
Several exciting debutants, such as Jason Roy, Fakhar Zaman, and Shai Hope, will also add spice to the tournament.
Conclusion: A Month-Long Cricket Carnival
The DP World ILT20 Season 3 is shaping up to be an exciting, high-energy cricket festival, and with the Agency Premier League T20 kicking things off, Zee Entertainment is setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable season. As cricket fans from around the world gear up for the action, there’s no doubt that DP World ILT20 will capture hearts, create memories, and offer non-stop entertainment throughout January and February 2025.
With a thrilling combination of top-notch cricket, star players, and extensive broadcast coverage, DP World ILT20 is ready to dominate the cricket scene this season. Stay tuned for more updates, match schedules, and live action on ZEE’s TV channels and ZEE5.
Get ready for the action!
