Cricket is set for a major revolution in Europe as Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands have combined to launch a new franchise T20 league named the European Premier T20 League (ETPL). ETPL 2026 will get underway on August 26, 2026.
The league is being launched in association with Indian investors, including Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan, Saurav Banerjee, Priyanka Kaul, and Dhiraj Malhotra, who are the co-founders of the league.
Which Teams Will Participate in the Inaugural ETPL?
The league features six teams named after cities across Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. Rotterdam Dockers, Amsterdam Flames, Belfast Wolves, Dublin Guardians, Edinburgh Castle Rockers, and Glasgow Cosmics are the six participating teams.
What Is the Schedule for ETPL 2026?
The inaugural ETPL season will begin on August 26, 2026, and run until September 20, 2026.
What Is the Format of the ETPL?
The six teams will play each other twice during the league phase. The team finishing at the top of the points table will advance directly to the final, while the second- and third-placed teams will face each other in a Qualifier for a place in the summit clash.
How Many Matches Will Be Played in ETPL 2026?
A total of 32 matches will be played during the ETPL 2026 season, including the Qualifier and the Final.
Where Will the ETPL Matches Be Played?
Voorburg Cricket Club in Voorburg, Netherlands, will host the first half of the tournament, while Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin, Ireland, will stage the second half.
How Many Overseas Players Can Teams Field in the Playing XI?
Teams can field a maximum of four overseas players in their playing XI. Each team must also include at least five local players in the playing XI.
What Time Will the ETPL Matches Start?
The ETPL will have two match start windows. Day matches will begin at 11:30 AM local time in Voorburg and 10:30 AM local time in Malahide, while evening matches will begin at 3:15 PM in Voorburg and 2:15 PM in Malahide.
Where Can You Watch ETPL 2026?
- India: Star Sports Network & JioHotstar
- United Kingdom & Ireland: TNT Sports & HBO Max
- United States, Canada, Middle East & North Africa, and Southeast Asia: Willow & Cricbuzz
Who Are the Star Players Participating in ETPL 2026?
Amsterdam Flames
- Steven Smith
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Tim David
- Scott Edwards (captain)
Rotterdam Dockers
- Faf du Plessis (captain)
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Anrich Nortje
Dublin Guardians
- Ravichandran Ashwin (captain)
- Daryl Mitchell
- James Vince
Belfast Wolves
- Glenn Maxwell (captain)
- Paul Stirling
- David Miller
- Devon Conway
- Chris Jordan
Edinburgh Castle Rockers
- Mitchell Santner (captain)
- Trent Boult
- Tom Curran
Glasgow Cosmics
- George Munsey (captain)
- Lungi Ngidi
- Keshav Maharaj
- Jason Roy
- Liam Livingstone
- James Neesham
Who Are the Owners of the ETPL Teams?
- Amsterdam Flames: Steve Waugh, Jamie Dwyer, Tim Thomas
- Rotterdam Dockers: Faf du Plessis, Jonty Rhodes, Heinrich Klaasen, John Abraham
- Dublin Guardians: Rahul Dravid
- Belfast Wolves: Floodlight Capital Consortium, with Glenn Maxwell as co-owner
- Edinburgh Castle Rockers: Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum
- Glasgow Cosmics: Matthew Hayden and Mugafi Group
