Abu Dhabi T10 Franchise Invitation‑to‑Bid Overview
Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub (ADCSH) issued a Global Invitation‑to‑Bid (ITB) on 6 July 2026, opening the submission window on 3 July and closing it on 16 July 2026. The ITB seeks to identify eight founding franchise teams for the 2026 edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 tournament.
Evaluation Process and Advisor
Deloitte has been appointed as the independent advisor to oversee the qualification process, ensuring transparency and integrity. Bidders will be assessed against a comprehensive set of criteria that extend beyond financial capability to include governance standards, integrity, reputation, operational expertise, and a long‑term commitment to the tournament’s development.
Two‑Stage Qualification
The ITB is structured as a two‑stage exercise. After the initial expression‑of‑interest period, shortlisted bidders will advance to a second stage where they will gain access to a secure data room containing detailed commercial and operational information about the tournament. Final evaluations will be completed thereafter, with successful franchise owners expected to be confirmed in August 2026.
Tournament Timeline and Venue
The 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 is scheduled to be staged at the iconic Zayed Cricket Stadium from 7 November to 20 November 2026, featuring 32 matches over 13 days.
Governance and Strategic Context
The ITB follows the transition of the Abu Dhabi T10 into a government‑owned and government‑managed competition, positioning the event as a long‑term national sporting asset. ADCSH, supported by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), now holds majority ownership and stewardship, aligning the tournament with Abu Dhabi’s vision to become a world‑class global sporting hub.
Quote from Leadership
Matt Boucher, CEO of Abu Dhabi T10 and ADCSH, stated that the opening of the ITB marks a pivotal milestone, emphasizing the search for long‑term strategic partners who share the ambition to build one of cricket’s most innovative and best‑governed tournaments. He highlighted the role of Deloitte in reinforcing transparency and accountability, and underscored the goal of attracting world‑class players, global investors, and international audiences while delivering lasting sporting and economic value for Abu Dhabi.
Application Details
Prospective investors and organisations can obtain full application details and qualification requirements by visiting www.AbuDhabiT10.com during the application window or by emailing TheFuture@AbuDhabiT10.com.
Tournament Impact Metrics
The Abu Dhabi T10 generated over US$512 million in media value in 2025. To date, the competition has featured 581 players from 26 nationalities, amassed more than 4.8 million combined social‑media followers, and achieved a total audience reach exceeding 1.2 billion.
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