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The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) has taken a major step forward with the announcement of its first set of franchise owners, headlined by Australian great Steve Waugh and current all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.
The six-team competition, scheduled to begin later this year, is set to make history as the first ICC-sanctioned T20 league to be staged across multiple countries.
The ETPL will operate across Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, marking a significant push to expand the game’s footprint in Europe.
The league is a joint venture between Cricket Ireland and India-based Rules Global (Rules X), in strategic collaboration with Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB).
Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan is a co-owner of the league, alongside three Indian investors, including Dhiraj Malhotra, the former CEO of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals.
Among the franchises already sold, Amsterdam, Belfast and Edinburgh have confirmed ownership groups, while teams in Dublin, Rotterdam and Glasgow are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
Steve Waugh is part of a consortium that will own the Amsterdam-based franchise, named Amsterdam Flames. The group also includes former Australian field hockey star Jamie Dwyer.
Glenn Maxwell, meanwhile, will co-own the Irish Wolves franchise alongside Rohan Lund, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of Australian insurance giant NRMA.
Former New Zealand internationals Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum have also invested in the league, with the duo purchasing the Edinburgh franchise.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Waugh expressed enthusiasm about the response from the cricketing community and the league’s broader vision.
“We’ve approached a number of players and haven’t had one negative comment at all,” Waugh said.
“They’re fascinated by the concept, particularly because it’s something new in Europe. The potential to grow the game in a new market and help develop European and continental players is really exciting.”
The inaugural season of the ETPL is scheduled to run from August 26 to September 20, with matches to be played in Ireland and the Netherlands. Final venue details are expected to be confirmed in due course.
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