The well-known Abu Dhabi T10 tournament is entering a fresh chapter after a change in leadership and commercial control. Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub (ADCSH), a body linked to the local government, has taken majority ownership and gained oversight of the championship’s commercial rights. From here on, the event will be run as a competition owned and managed out of Abu Dhabi, with ADCSH set to treat the Abu Dhabi T10 as a long-term national sporting asset rather than a standalone franchise-style property.
Under the updated arrangement, ADCSH will own and manage the Abu Dhabi T10, with backing from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC). The framework also comes with the continued support of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), ensuring the tournament’s administration aligns with the wider cricket ecosystem in the region. The next edition is scheduled for November 7 to 20, with matches set to be hosted at Zayed Cricket Stadium. That 2026 window will be the first complete tournament conducted entirely under the new structure.
The tournament is also expected to broaden its ownership model. Eight franchises and prospective ownership groups will be invited to take part under the revised format, with additional information to be released as part of an “Invitation To Tender” process. Tournament officials have framed the changes as an evolution aimed at strengthening governance while sharpening the competition’s global trajectory in cricket’s quickest, most explosive format.
His Excellency Aref Al Awani, Chairman of the Board at ADCSH and General Secretary of ADSC, described the shift as a strategic step forward. He said the move reflects stronger governance, greater institutional credibility, and a clear plan for the sport’s fastest format to grow worldwide. Al Awani also highlighted the tournament’s existing global relevance and the growing fan momentum in Abu Dhabi, adding that the new era will help the event build on its community ambitions.
He further stressed that the tournament’s core identity will remain intact, pointing to the attraction of high-intensity 10-over contests alongside international star power. Al Awani said the broadcast package will continue to evolve to suit modern global audiences, while ADCSH now looks to elevate the Abu Dhabi T10 from a successful cricket fixture into a source of pride for the city—along with the wider family of team owners connected to the competition.
Khalid Al Zarooni, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, also welcomed the new setup, noting support for the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub framework now in place for the Abu Dhabi T10.
