The Bears will return to their roots and be renamed the Warwickshire Bears from the 2026 season, ushering in an exciting new chapter for T20 cricket at Edgbaston Stadium.
After more than a decade, the Vitality Blast team will once again carry the historic Warwickshire name, uniting the men’s and women’s teams under one identity which embodies the long history of the Club.
The move sees the Bears return to its heritage of encompassing the wider community, reaffirming the strength of the Warwickshire identity and the values that define what it means to be a Bear: pride, passion, and togetherness, built on innovation and not afraid of being different.
This is more than just a name, it’s a homecoming. The Warwickshire Bears name represents generations of players, Members, supporters, and local pride that have shaped the club’s identity for over 140 years. By bringing the Warwickshire name back to the forefront, the Bears are honouring where they’ve come from while looking ahead to a bright future for cricket in the county.
Stuart Cain, Chief Executive, said: “Warwickshire has and always will be at the heart of who we are. It’s our identity and has been for well over a century.
“Over a decade ago, the Club decided to be bold with a city-based name for our T20 team, and it saw attendances grow to record levels and attract new fans to the Bears.
“But with our long-term future in mind, and following feedback from Members through the Members’ Committee, now is the right time for change.
“We represent the county, and that’s what returning to Warwickshire Bears is about.”
In a bold and electrifying move to celebrate its deep-rooted connection with the Vitality Blast, Edgbaston Stadium itself rebranded as EdgBLASTon for the entirety of the 2025 Vitality Blast season – including the showpiece Finals Day in September – and will continue under that moniker for 2026.
Over the years, the stadium has played host to countless unforgettable T20 moments, dramatic finishes, and Finals Day spectacles that have defined the tournament’s legacy and is undoubtedly the spiritual home of the Vitality Blast.
Fixtures for the 2026 competition will be announced at 10am on Tuesday, 25 November.
Warwickshire Bears fans can register now to be the first to hear about the fixtures and secure priority access to tickets at the best prices by clicking here.
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