The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) has taken a major step towards its highly anticipated debut by announcing the owners of its first three franchises — and the names involved are nothing short of legendary.
In a spectacular launch event held in Sydney against the iconic backdrop of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, ETPL confirmed Amsterdam, Edinburgh, and Belfast as its inaugural franchise cities, with some of the most influential figures in world cricket stepping in as owners.
Australian cricket great and former World Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh will lead the Amsterdam franchise, marking his official return to the game in a leadership role and his first venture into T20 franchise ownership.
Waugh is joined by:
- Jamie Dwyer, five-time World Player of the Year and Olympic gold medallist
- Tim Thomas, former CEO of the Centre for Australia-India Relations and ex-KPMG Australia Partner
Speaking about his involvement, Waugh said the opportunity stood out for its long-term vision and ambition.
“This is about upholding the standards and spirit of cricket while helping grow the game into Europe, which remains cricket’s last great frontier.”
The Edinburgh franchise will be owned by former New Zealand internationals:
- Nathan McCullum, high-performance cricket coach
- Kyle Mills, former ICC No.1 ODI bowler
Kyle Mills described ETPL as a league built on strong governance and global partnerships.
“ETPL has all the ingredients to become a serious force in global cricket.”
Australian all-rounder and global T20 star Glenn Maxwell will lead the Belfast franchise, alongside:
- Rohan Lund, former Group CEO of NRMA
- Strategic partners to be announced soon
Maxwell said he is excited to build a team culture based on fun, family, and fearless cricket.
“The Irish people love their sport, and ETPL will accelerate the growth of cricket in Ireland. I’m proud to lead the franchise in its inaugural year.”
ETPL is officially sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and is co-founded by:
- Abhishek Bachchan
- Saurav Banerjee
- Priyanka Kaul
- Dhiraj Malhotra
The league is operated through a joint venture between Rules Global (Rules X) and Cricket Ireland, with support from Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB).
Abhishek Bachchan said ETPL is built on strong values and global collaboration.
“These franchises represent intent, integrity, and vision. ETPL will bring together international stars and emerging European talent while setting new standards for governance and sporting integrity.”
Europe is home to 34 ICC member nations, making it the largest cricketing region globally — yet much of its potential remains underdeveloped.
ETPL Co-Founder Saurav Banerjee believes the league will unlock this opportunity.
“ETPL is Europe’s first ICC-sanctioned T20 league, designed to catalyse sustainable growth and elevate European cricket on the global stage.”
Cricket leaders across Europe have welcomed the league’s launch.
Brian MacNeice, Chair of ETPL and Director at Cricket Ireland, called it a landmark moment for Irish cricket.
Trudy Lindblade, CEO of Cricket Scotland, said ETPL will create exciting opportunities for Scottish players.
Lucas Hendriske, interim CEO of KNCB, said the Netherlands is proud to play a central role in shaping the league’s future.
ETPL’s inaugural season is scheduled to begin in late August 2026, featuring:
- World-class international players
- Emerging European talent
- A technology-driven league structure
- A globally aligned broadcast window
The league aims to redefine how cricket is played, watched, and scaled across international markets.
With legends like Steve Waugh and Glenn Maxwell leading the way, and strong governance at its core, the European T20 Premier League is set to usher in a new era for cricket across Europe.
For fans, players, and the global cricket community, ETPL represents opportunity, innovation, and the future of the game
Cricket’s Biggest Names Take Charge as ETPL Launches Its First Franchises added by Indian newspaper Sydney on
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