UAE Bulls confirmed as first founding franchise for Abu Dhabi T10's new era

UAE Bulls have been confirmed as the first founding franchise for the new era of the Abu Dhabi T10, the organisers announced on September 10, 2026. The confirmation follows a Deloitte Invitation to Bid process and places the franchise at the centre of the tournament's new 10-year licence model.

The Abu Dhabi T10 2026 edition is scheduled to run from November 7 to 20 at Zayed Cricket Stadium. UAE Bulls will enter that tournament as defending champions, having won the 2025 title, and will be part of what organisers are calling a relaunched competition under a restructured governance framework.

"We have believed in T10 cricket and its potential from the beginning, so we are extremely proud that the UAE Bulls will be the first founding franchise confirmed for this exciting new chapter. I've thoroughly enjoyed every visit to Abu Dhabi for the ADT10 over the years, and my connection with the Bulls has grown stronger throughout that time, particularly with the support and commitment Neelesh has shown towards the team," said UAE Bulls owner Neelesh Bhatnagar as quoted by NDTV Sports.

"The new institutional backing and long-term structure provide a solid foundation from which Abu Dhabi T10 can continue to grow in value, stature, and international appeal. Winning the title in 2025 was an incredibly special moment for everyone associated with the UAE Bulls, but we now see that achievement as the beginning of another journey. We are excited about what lies ahead and determined to play our part in the competition's continued success," he added.

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What is the new governance structure behind Abu Dhabi T10?

Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub owns and manages the Abu Dhabi T10 under the new governance structure, with support from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Emirates Cricket Board. The tournament operates under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board. The Abu Dhabi T10 was founded in 2017, and UAE Bulls have been part of the competition since its inception that year.

“The UAE Bulls understand both the qualities that make T10 such a compelling format and the opportunity that exists to take the competition to another level. As we enter the tournament's next innings, we value partners who share our ambition to build sustainably for the long term. The UAE Bulls have demonstrated that commitment over many years, and their confirmation as our first founding franchise is a fitting way to begin this next chapter," said Matt Boucher, CEO of Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub.

“Our positioning of ‘Same Energy. New Ethos.' captures exactly what we are seeking to achieve. We want to retain the excitement, intensity, and entertainment that audiences associate with Abu Dhabi T10 while introducing a structure and approach capable of supporting its ambitions for the decade ahead," he added.

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Who leads UAE Bulls into the 2026 edition?

UAE Bulls were originally known as Delhi Bulls before rebranding to their current name. The franchise reached the Abu Dhabi T10 final in 2024 before going on to win the title in 2025, establishing a run of strong performances in the competition's recent seasons.

Andy Flower has been appointed as Head Coach of UAE Bulls for the new cycle, while Dwayne Bravo continues in his role as bowling coach and mentor for the franchise. The combination of experienced coaching staff and the franchise's founding status positions UAE Bulls prominently as the 2026 edition approaches.

“I've thoroughly enjoyed every visit to Abu Dhabi for the ADT10 over the years, and my connection with the Bulls has grown stronger throughout that time, particularly with the support and commitment Neelesh has shown towards the team. We have some very special memories from last season, and we're excited to return as defending champions and be part of the relaunched Abu Dhabi T10," said Flower.