ABOUT ETPL
Home of Competitive Cricket in Europe
The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) is a new franchise-based tournament sanctioned by the International Cricket Council, created to establish Europe as a dynamic force in the global T20 landscape. Built on a first-of-its-kind partnership between the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, the league brings together proud cricketing histories with a shared ambition to grow the game across the continent and beyond.
In January 2026 the ETPL unveiled its first three franchises at an international press conference in Sydney, held against the backdrop of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The Amsterdam, Edinburgh and Belfast franchises were announced alongside high-profile ownership groups featuring names such as Steve Waugh, Glenn Maxwell and Kyle Mills. Building on that momentum, in the forthcoming months, the league announced two other franchise lineups, the Glasgow Cosmics and the Rotterdam Dockers, attracting further global cricketing figures including Chris Gayle-led consortium and a trio from South Africa Faf du Plessis, Jonty Rhodes and Heinrich Klaasen among its ownership groups respectively. Subsequently, the ETPL completed its six-team structure in May 2026 with the announcement of Rahul Dravid, one of cricket's most respected figures as the owner of the Dublin Guardians.
The inaugural season of the ETPL is scheduled to begin in August 2026, with matches hosted across key venues in the Netherlands and Ireland. Bringing together established international stars and emerging European talent, the league is designed to deliver a high-quality, globally relevant competition while strengthening the cricketing ecosystem within the region. More than just a tournament, the ETPL represents a long-term commitment to developing the game at all levels in Europe, from grassroots participation to professional pathways, positioning the continent as one of cricket’s most exciting new frontiers.
MEET THE FRANCHISES
AMSTERDAM FLAMES
Australia legend and former World Cup winning captain, Steve Waugh, is among the franchise owners, alongside Olympic gold medallist Jamie Dwyer and Australian businessman Tim Thomas. Australia's T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh gives the team global recognition, with Steve Smith and Tim David also signed. Netherlands captain Scott Edwards became the first European player to join.
EDINBURGH CASTLE ROCKERS
The Edinburgh franchise is owned by a New Zealand–based consortium led by former internationals Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum. The ownership group works in collaboration with Otago Cricket, bringing a strong community-driven and high-performance model aligned with Cricket Scotland's development objectives.
IRISH WOLVES
Australian international Glenn Maxwell joins as co-owner and player, following a decorated career across international and global T20 competitions. A member of Australia's ICC Men's T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2021, Maxwell is widely regarded as one of the most dynamic all-rounders in the modern game. Nicknamed 'The Big Show', Maxwell co-owns the franchise through the Floodlight Capital Consortium alongside Rohan Lund, the former COO of Foxtel and Seven West Media.
GLASGOW COSMICS
The Glasgow franchise is owned by Chris Gayle in partnership with the Mugafi Group. The Universe Boss-led ownership combines global T20 experience with institutional investment backing. Gayle will also be the Global Brand Ambassador of the franchise, alongside owner Tansha Batra and founding commercial partner Mugafi Group. The structure reflects a commercially driven model supported by one of the most recognisable figures in franchise cricket.
ROTTERDAM DOCKERS
The Rotterdam franchise is owned by South African cricketers Faf du Plessis, Jonty Rhodes and Heinrich Klaasen. The ownership group brings extensive experience from global T20 leagues. Du Plessis is set to lead the side, ensuring continuity between leadership and ownership. With a core built around proven international performers, Rotterdam enters the league with a clear high-performance focus and established cricketing credibility.
DUBLIN GUARDIANS
Indian cricketing icon Rahul Dravid joined as owner of the Dublin Guardians, as the ETPL locked in its final franchise. One of cricket's most respected figures, Dravid, brings to the role the same qualities that defined his playing career: a deep commitment to the long game and a genuine investment in developing talent. His vision for the franchise aligns closely with the ETPL's broader mission, with Dravid citing the opportunity to strengthen grassroots development and create pathways for emerging players across Ireland and Europe as the driving force.
ETPL EXPLAINED
A STAGE FOR THE FUTURE OF CRICKET IN EUROPE
A world-class platform designed to elevate European cricket to the global stage through professional franchise structures.
ENTERTAINMENT MEETS INTEGRITY
ICC-sanctioned competition combining thrilling T20 entertainment with the highest standards of sporting integrity.
LOCAL HEROES MEET GLOBAL STARS
Europe's best cricketers competing alongside international superstars, accelerating player development across the continent.
SIX FRANCHISES. THREE NATIONS. ONE LEAGUE.
A unique cross-border collaboration uniting Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands under one iconic competition.
ICC-APPROVED, EUROPE-FOCUSED
Fully sanctioned by the International Cricket Council, with a mission to grow the game's footprint across Europe.
BRINGING CRICKET TO THE WESTERN FRONT
Cricket is the world's second-largest sport with over 2.5 billion fans globally, yet Europe remains largely untapped. The ETPL changes that. By combining the infrastructure of three ICC nations, the appeal of franchise-based competition, and the ambition to reach new audiences, the ETPL is positioned to become one of the most exciting new leagues in world sport.
2.5B+
Cricket Fans Worldwide
3
Founding Nations
6
Franchise Cities
Aug 2026
Inaugural Season