Get ready for a cricket revolution in Europe as the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) gears up for its 2026 debut. Featuring celebrity owners such as Abhishek Bachchan, Steve Waugh, and Glenn Maxwell, this six-team extravaganza will light up stadiums in Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands.
Slated for late summer—August 26 to September 20—the league’s timing cleverly follows The Hundred, though it might brush against CPL schedules. It’s poised to be the ICC’s first cross-border T20 event in Europe, a milestone for continental cricket.
Franchise ownership reads like a who’s who of sport and entertainment. Amsterdam Flames boasts Steve Waugh and Jamie Dwyer. Glenn Maxwell partners with Rohan Lund for Irish Wolves. Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum snapped up Edinburgh. Bollywood’s Abhishek Bachchan, co-founder and sports enthusiast from ISL and PKL, teams with Dhiraj Malhotra and others for broader involvement.
On-field action promises fireworks, with confirmed deals for Steven Smith, Mitchell Marsh, and Scott Edwards at Amsterdam Flames. Tim David’s potential signing adds more sizzle. As Waugh emphasized, this platform will supercharge local talent by exposing them to elite international players over extended weeks.
Backed by Cricket Ireland, Rules Global, and boards from Scotland and Netherlands, ETPL is more than a tournament—it’s an infrastructure booster. Bachchan teased a major Indian TV partnership soon, with games primarily in Ireland and Netherlands, finals TBD. With three teams sold and three pending in Dublin, Rotterdam, and Glasgow, investor interest is sky-high.
ETPL represents a bold fusion of global icons, strategic timing, and development focus, set to redefine T20 cricket’s footprint in Europe and captivate audiences worldwide.