Rotterdam is Cricket’s 'Gateway to Europe', feels Jonty Rhodes

When Jonty Rhodes speaks about Rotterdam, he is not just talking about a city. He sees it as a doorway. A “gateway to Europe,” as he describes it, and more importantly, a place where cricket can grow, evolve, and find a natural home within an already active sporting culture.

Now, the co-owner of the Rottderam franchise in the ETPL, Rhodes is excited by the opportunity the city offers to grow the sport in the region

Rotterdam, known for its modern outlook and energy, offers a unique opportunity for the game. Rhodes points out that there is “a great opportunity” here, not only to introduce cricket but to connect it with a lifestyle that Europeans already live every day. People here are “very outdoor, very active,” and sport is part of how they spend their time. Whether it is cycling, football, or other competitive activities, movement and sport are built into daily life.

That connection is important. Cricket has often been seen as a sport rooted in certain regions, but things are beginning to change. With its inclusion in the Olympic Games, the game has taken on new meaning globally. Rhodes builds on this idea by explaining that cricket does not need to feel unfamiliar in Europe. Europeans already “play ball sports” and are deeply involved in Olympic disciplines. Cricket can fit into that space more naturally than many might expect.

Rotterdam plays a key role in this shift. It is an international city that welcomes new ideas and cultures. For Rhodes, it is a place where people can come and “experience something slightly different.” Cricket offers that difference. It brings a mix of skill, patience, and excitement that adds something new to the sporting landscape without feeling out of place.

There is also a bigger ambition behind this vision. The Olympic pathway creates a strong reason for athletes to take up the sport. Rhodes highlights this clearly when he says that if you want to represent your country, “here’s an opportunity.” That idea can resonate with young athletes who are already competitive and looking for a stage to perform on. Cricket can become more than just a new sport. It can become a real pathway to international competition.

The timing feels right. Cricket is expanding beyond its traditional boundaries, and Europe is becoming an important part of that journey. With its strong sporting culture and global connectivity, it offers the right environment for growth. Rotterdam, at the center of this vision, becomes more than just a location. It becomes a starting point for something bigger.

Jonty Rhodes sees it quite simply. Cricket does not need a big rethink to work in Europe. The environment is already there. People enjoy being active, they play different sports, and they are closely connected to the Olympic space. Cricket can just slot into that. If it connects with how people already live and play, growth will follow naturally.