Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi T10 is now officially Abu Dhabi T10. You read it right.
The most premier cricket tournament of the UAE in the unique T10 format has been hosted at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in the Emirate and is entering its 10th edition, having been conceptualised by Ajman-based entrepreneur Shaji ul Mulk and held in Sharjah for an initial three years.
Abu Dhabi has hosted it since and made it its own with a modern world-class venue at the Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub (ADCSH). An announcement on Wednesday said the league is re-launching with a new framework and Aletihad understands after speaking to people close to the development that the relationship has grown from being just title sponsors to taking over as intellectual property (IP) holders.
An official statement from ADCSH said it is assuming majority ownership and commercial rights control of Abu Dhabi T10, transitioning the tournament into a government-owned and government-managed competition.
Accordingly, ADCSH will own and manage the Abu Dhabi T10 as a long-term national sporting asset with support from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and the Emirates Cricket Board.
“This is a strategic evolution of the tournament which signals strengthened governance, institutional credibility, and a clear global growth strategy for the sport’s fastest format,” said Aref Al Awani, Secretary General of ADSC and ADCSH board chairman .
“This marks a new start for a tournament that has already demonstrated global relevance in a short timeframe, while building a growing fanbase in Abu Dhabi where we can pivot our community ambitions. We are now focused on elevating the Abu Dhabi T10 from a successful cricket event to a proud sporting asset for Abu Dhabi and our family of team owners.”
Tournament organisers said the 2025 edition generated an estimated $512 million in media value and delivered 687 million global social media impressions, according to an independent GSIQ report.
The competition has attracted several leading international cricketers in recent seasons, with the fast-paced 10-over format gaining popularity and spawning variants globally.
On behalf of the cricket board, Vice President Khalid Al Zarooni said: “The tournament has established itself as an innovative format within the global cricket calendar and, under this structure, is well-positioned to continue contributing to the UAE’s sporting landscape. We remain focused on ensuring that all sanctioned competitions operate to the highest regulatory and professional standards in support of the game’s long-term development in the country.”
Shaji Ul Mulk welcomed the new arrangement. “I am thrilled with the partnership and confident that the Abu Dhabi T10 now has the structure, expertise and institutional backing required to realise its full potential. I believe this transition positions the Abu Dhabi tournament for a new phase of exciting growth, strengthened ownership, and enhanced global relevance.”
ADCSH Chief Executive Officer Matt Boucher will take on an additional, similar role at AD10. “The Abu Dhabi T10 was born out of Shaji’s bold ambition and has grown into one of the world’s coolest cricket properties,” he said. “We absolutely love the event and are excited at putting in place the foundations for its next stage of growth to ensure we reach the highest summit possible.
“We know there is important work ahead across several key pillars: strengthened governance, improved player structuring and a more decisive and enhanced commercial and broadcast platform. These foundations will allow the event to flourish in a unique destination while supporting Abu Dhabi’s wider tourism and sporting ambitions.”
The 2026 edition will be staged from November 7 to 20 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium and will be the first tournament staged fully under the new ownership structure. Tournament officials said eight franchises and prospective ownership groups would be invited to participate under a new tender process, with further details to be announced later.
