Dubai’s new Etihad Rail station has officially opened, marking a major step towards the launch of passenger train services connecting the emirate with Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Etihad Rail, inaugurated the station in the presence of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The opening comes ahead of the start of passenger services on September 30, when trains will begin connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah as part of the UAE’s national railway network.

Before the official inauguration, Sheikh Mohamed travelled by Etihad Rail from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. During the journey, he was briefed on the train’s operating systems, national objectives and passenger services. After arriving in Dubai, the UAE President met members of the national team working on the project and posed for commemorative photographs with them.

During a tour of the Dubai station, Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Theyab were briefed on its facilities and operations, including ticket booking, passenger procedures, boarding and the overall journey experience.

Sheikh Hamdan also shared a photograph of his Etihad Rail ticket. Dated September 28, the ticket showed a 2.11pm departure from Dubai and arrival in Abu Dhabi at 3.13pm — a journey time of one hour and two minutes. The ticket was for the Comfort Saver category, priced at Dh39.

Sheikh Hamdan said the Dubai station would serve as a new national gateway, strengthening connections between the emirate, the capital and other cities across the UAE.

“Connecting Dubai to the national Etihad Rail network enhances its presence at the heart of the country’s movement, supports its pivotal role in the national economy, and consolidates its position as a global centre for business, tourism and investment,” he said.

Sheikh Theyab said the strong demand for passenger services between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah since their launch reflected public confidence in rail travel as a new mode of transportation.

Tickets from Dh39

From September 30, passengers will be able to travel between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah on Etihad Rail passenger services.

Tickets are available through the Etihad Rail app, website and ticket machines at stations. Fares start at Dh39 for Comfort Class and Dh109 for Premium Class.

The Dubai station is also linked to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station through a dedicated pedestrian bridge, allowing passengers to transfer directly between Etihad Rail and the Dubai Metro.

Integration with Dubai’s Nol passenger system will further connect rail and public transport services. Passengers can use a unified QR code for journeys involving Etihad Rail, the Metro, tram and bus services.

The passenger service is operated by Etihad Rail Passenger Services, a joint venture between Etihad Rail and Keolis, a global passenger transport operator.

The launch marks the next phase of the UAE’s national railway network, bringing intercity passenger rail travel to Dubai and creating a new public transport link between some of the country’s major cities.

Emirates Eagles have become the latest team to confirm it will vie for honours in the new era of the Abu Dhabi T10, unveiling a formidable cricket line-up featuring West Indies star Rovman Powell as captain, highly decorated international coach Mickey Arthur, and direct signings Trent Boult and Shimron Hetmyer.

Owned by Maverick Sports and Entertainment, the Eagles will debut when the Abu Dhabi T10 returns to Zayed Cricket Stadium from November 7-20.

The franchise has signalled its ambition by assembling an experienced leadership group and a powerful core of international talent capable of making an immediate impact in cricket’s fastest format.

Powell, one of the most destructive power-hitters in the global franchise game, will lead the side, while former South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka Head Coach Mickey Arthur will oversee its cricketing strategy. New Zealand left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult brings proven wicket-taking quality with both the new ball and at the death, while explosive West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer adds further firepower.

Matt Boucher, CEO of both the tournament and its owners Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub (ADCSH) said: “Emirates Eagles arrive with an exciting vision for what they want to build, both on and off the field. The combination of Rovman Powell, Mickey Arthur, Trent Boult and Shimron Hetmyer gives them an outstanding cricketing foundation, while the ownership group brings the long-term commitment we want to see from our franchises.

“As we shape this new era of the Abu Dhabi T10, we want teams with strong identities, world-class talent, and the appetite to grow alongside the tournament. Emirates Eagles bring all three, and I am looking forward to seeing what they can deliver in November.”

Maverick Sports and Entertainment brings together Annam Satish Prabhakar, Classic Investments, Kondaveeti Durga Pavan Kumar, Bonam Suryaprakash, Annam Kusumkiran and Allada Ashok Vardhan.

The consortium views its entry into the Abu Dhabi T10 as a major step in expanding its presence in franchise cricket, with the long-term goal of developing Emirates Eagles into a competitive and commercially sustainable global sporting brand.

Annam Satish Prabhakar, Managing Director of Emirates Eagles, said: “We are entering the Abu Dhabi T10 with a long-term plan for Emirates Eagles. Our ambition is to create a franchise that combines success on the field with a strong, distinctive brand that can connect with cricket fans in the UAE and internationally.

“We have put together an exceptional leadership group and secured players who understand what it takes to perform at the highest level of franchise cricket. With Mickey guiding the team and Rovman leading on the field, supported by players of the calibre of Trent and Shimron, we believe we have the foundations to make a strong impression from our very first season.”

Powell’s experience across international and franchise cricket will be central to that challenge, with the West Indies star renowned for his ability to change the course of a game through aggressive middle-order hitting.

Powell said: “There is something special about joining a new franchise at the beginning of its journey because you can help create its identity from day one. T10 cricket demands confidence, clarity, and the willingness to take the game on, and I think the squad we are building has those qualities.

“We want Emirates Eagles to play fearless, entertaining cricket and, most importantly, compete to win. With Mickey’s experience and the quality already coming into the team, there is plenty for us to be excited about.”

Supporting the franchise’s leadership will be Chief Operating Officer Sandeep Yara, an Indian first-class cricketer whose professional playing background is complemented by experience in franchise operations, digital marketing, and brand building.

Nabeel Hashmi joins as Team Director following three years as Team Manager of Deccan Gladiators, bringing further Abu Dhabi T10 and franchise cricket experience to the Eagles’ management structure.

The arrival of Emirates Eagles adds another distinctive franchise to the evolving Abu Dhabi T10 line-up as the tournament prepares for its 2026 edition in the UAE capital.

Royal Desert Champions have become the latest team to join the Abu Dhabi T10 as the tournament enters a new era under the stewardship of Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub (ADCSH).

Royal Desert Champions takes its inspiration from the people who have made UAE their home – the dreamers who arrived with ambition, the builders who created something from ground up, and the achievers who continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. The team aims to celebrate that spirit of ambition, possibility and achievement, both on and off the field.

Reflecting this spirit is the appointment of Trinidadian superstar Nicholas Pooran as the captain and Icon player of the new franchise, while England international Phil Salt and West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford have joined as direct signings, giving Royal Desert Champions an exciting core of proven short-format talent.

Together, the three signings send an early signal of the Royal Desert Champions’ ambitions ahead of their debut in the 2026 tournament, which runs from 7-20 November at Zayed Cricket Stadium in the UAE capital.

Pooran is widely regarded as one of the standout talents of West Indies’ second generation of T20 stars. He represented the West Indies in limited-overs cricket until 2024 and previously captained the national team.

Salt adds another explosive presence at the top of the order. The England international is an aggressive right-handed opening batter and has built experience across international and domestic short-format cricket.

Rutherford meanwhile brings further power and versatility. The West Indian is an impactful short-format all-rounder, combining aggressive middle-order batting with medium-pace bowling and has competed across major competitions including the CPL, IPL, PSL, BPL, ILT20 and MLC.

Royal Desert Champions take their identity from resolute desert characteristics forged in a demanding environment. The new team has been founded by entrepreneur and former banker Amit Narang who has more than 17 years’ experience with leading international banks in India and the Emirates and has built a successful fintech business in the UAE.

Amit said the opportunity to create the first completely new franchise of the Abu Dhabi T10’s new era, backed by a strong group of initial signings, provides the foundations for ambitions extending well beyond on-field success.

“Royal Desert Champions is built on the belief that champions are revealed when conditions are toughest. The desert embodies the qualities we want this team to stand for – resilience, courage, adaptability, and ambition.

“As the first new founding team of this new Abu Dhabi T10 era, we have the opportunity to create something distinctive from the ground up – a team that the emirate can be proud of, a brand that connects with fans locally and globally, and a franchise with the ambition to build a lasting legacy.

“With Nicholas leading us, supported by outstanding players such as Phil and Sherfane, we have an exciting core around which to build. We are here to compete, to win and to create something that endures.”

Working alongside Pooran to shape that ambition on the field will be former India international all-rounder Robin Singh, who has been appointed Team Director. Singh brings extensive playing and coaching experience, including a long association with Mumbai Indians and roles across international and franchise cricket. His record also includes winning titles in both T10 and ILT20 cricket, giving the new franchise an experienced figure with an established understanding of success in the shortest formats.

“Having been closely associated with the Abu Dhabi tournament format over the years, I am delighted to continue my journey with the Royal Desert Champions,” said Singh. “I look forward to building around our strong core a quality and competitive team capable of making an immediate impact in the Abu Dhabi T10.”

Welcoming the new team to the Abu Dhabi T10 2026 field, Matt Boucher, CEO of ADCSH and the Abu Dhabi T10, said, “We’re thrilled to welcome the Royal Desert Champions to the Abu Dhabi T10. Bringing together a strong regional identity with world-class international talent is exactly the kind of ambition we want to see as the competition continues to grow.

“The new team ownership has set out a clear direction for the team, and they are already assembling an impressive combination of leadership, experience, and international talent. With Robin guiding the sporting operation and Nicholas, Phil and Sherfane providing such a solid early foundation on the field, it will be exciting to see how the Royal Desert Champions take shape ahead of November.”

Royal Desert Champions will now continue building their squad and sporting structure as preparations accelerate for the 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 Official Player Draft on 30 September in Abu Dhabi.