The inaugural edition of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), originally scheduled to launch in mid-2025, has been postponed to 2026. The organizers said on Friday, June 06, that the T20 League will kick start next year. The final decision was taken after consultation with key stakeholders, which included several businesses and media.
July 16 to August 03 2025 dates were announced for this edition's ETPL, which involved six teams. Cricket Ireland, Cricket Netherlands, and Cricket Scotland were the organizers.
"The initial 2025 window envisioned for the tournament provided a solid base, but conversations with franchise aspirants, broadcasters, sponsors, and governing bodies made it clear: 2026 gives ETPL the tournament the best chance to succeed," the statement further said.
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Why was the inaugural edition of the ETPL postponed?
According to several reports, the first edition of the ETPL was scheduled for next year due to potential owners busy in The Hundred tournament. For the unversed, Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam were the venues chosen for the matches to be played. Prominent Bollywood Star Abhishek Bachchan was seen promoting ETPL. The project was run by a Delhi-based Indian company. The ETPL is also sponsored by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
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Chairman of ETPL Warren Deutrom plans to make ETPL a long-term project, with sustainable growth, and support from European Countries, Scotland, Netherlands, and Ireland.
"We're building for the long term. With the right partners, capital, and support across the board, 2026 gives us the ideal runway to launch a league that is professional, competitive, and built to last. With the backing of Rules Sport Tech and the national boards of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, the ETPL is shaping up to be a powerful new force in global cricket."
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