Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult and Fakhar Zaman are among the leading players already signed by teams ahead of the 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 draft, as the competition enters its 10th season with a major overhaul of its franchises.
The tournament has introduced six new team identities - Arabian Aces, Emirates Eagles, Royal Desert Champions, UAE Bulls, United Tigers and Yas Lions - alongside a renewed ownership group ahead of the player draft on 30 September.
The changes mark a significant reset for the Abu Dhabi T10 as it prepares for its 10th season, but the six franchises have already begun shaping their squads with three pre-signings each.
Arabian Aces have assembled one of the most high-profile groups, signing England all-rounder Moeen Ali, West Indies power-hitter Andre Russell and England batter Liam Livingstone.
Emirates Eagles have opted for a combination of batting power and proven pace, securing West Indies pair Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer, alongside New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult.
Royal Desert Champions will begin with a strong batting core. West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran has been joined by England opener Phil Salt and West Indies batter Sherfane Rutherford.
UAE Bulls have turned to extensive franchise-cricket experience with former West Indies captain Kieron Pollard and spinner Sunil Narine, while Guyana all-rounder Romario Shepherd completes their three pre-signings.
United Tigers, meanwhile, have built an all-Pakistan pre-signing group featuring opener Fakhar Zaman, middle-order batter and all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed, and left-arm seam-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.
Yas Lions have gone heavily on all-round options, signing former West Indies captain Jason Holder and England's David Willey, with USA wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous completing their initial roster.
New ownership group for new-look franchises
The revamped franchises will also operate under a renewed ownership group.
Amit Narang owns Royal Desert Champions, while Pankaj Jain is behind Arabian Aces. Emirates Eagles are owned by Annam Satish Prabhakar, Zainab Zehra Rizvi owns United Tigers, former India international Robin Uthappa is the owner of Yas Lions, and Neelesh Bhatnagar owns UAE Bulls.
The new identities and ownership structure represent a substantial change for the competition as it looks to begin its second decade with a refreshed franchise model.
Attention now turns to the 2026 player draft, where the six sides will complete the bulk of their squads.
Each team must finish with a minimum of 17 and a maximum of 18 players, with the draft scheduled across 15 rounds. The categories include UAE Stars, Category A, B and C players, a UAE Emerging Under-21 selection and an Associate Hero round, followed by an optional final round.
The UAE Bulls will have the first pick of the opening UAE Star round, followed by Arabian Aces, United Tigers, Emirates Eagles, Yas Lions and Royal Desert Champions.
With 18 major pre-signings already confirmed and an entirely new set of franchise identities in place, the 30 September draft will provide the clearest indication yet of how the new-look Abu Dhabi T10 will take shape for season 10.
The tournament has introduced six new team identities - Arabian Aces, Emirates Eagles, Royal Desert Champions, UAE Bulls, United Tigers and Yas Lions - alongside a renewed ownership group ahead of the player draft on 30 September.
The changes mark a significant reset for the Abu Dhabi T10 as it prepares for its 10th season, but the six franchises have already begun shaping their squads with three pre-signings each.
Arabian Aces have assembled one of the most high-profile groups, signing England all-rounder Moeen Ali, West Indies power-hitter Andre Russell and England batter Liam Livingstone.
Emirates Eagles have opted for a combination of batting power and proven pace, securing West Indies pair Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer, alongside New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult.
Royal Desert Champions will begin with a strong batting core. West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran has been joined by England opener Phil Salt and West Indies batter Sherfane Rutherford.
UAE Bulls have turned to extensive franchise-cricket experience with former West Indies captain Kieron Pollard and spinner Sunil Narine, while Guyana all-rounder Romario Shepherd completes their three pre-signings.
United Tigers, meanwhile, have built an all-Pakistan pre-signing group featuring opener Fakhar Zaman, middle-order batter and all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed, and left-arm seam-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.
Yas Lions have gone heavily on all-round options, signing former West Indies captain Jason Holder and England's David Willey, with USA wicketkeeper-batter Andries Gous completing their initial roster.
New ownership group for new-look franchises
The revamped franchises will also operate under a renewed ownership group.
Amit Narang owns Royal Desert Champions, while Pankaj Jain is behind Arabian Aces. Emirates Eagles are owned by Annam Satish Prabhakar, Zainab Zehra Rizvi owns United Tigers, former India international Robin Uthappa is the owner of Yas Lions, and Neelesh Bhatnagar owns UAE Bulls.
The new identities and ownership structure represent a substantial change for the competition as it looks to begin its second decade with a refreshed franchise model.
Attention now turns to the 2026 player draft, where the six sides will complete the bulk of their squads.
Each team must finish with a minimum of 17 and a maximum of 18 players, with the draft scheduled across 15 rounds. The categories include UAE Stars, Category A, B and C players, a UAE Emerging Under-21 selection and an Associate Hero round, followed by an optional final round.
The UAE Bulls will have the first pick of the opening UAE Star round, followed by Arabian Aces, United Tigers, Emirates Eagles, Yas Lions and Royal Desert Champions.
With 18 major pre-signings already confirmed and an entirely new set of franchise identities in place, the 30 September draft will provide the clearest indication yet of how the new-look Abu Dhabi T10 will take shape for season 10.
