ICC-Sanctioned European T20 Premier League Postponed To 2026

The European T20 Premier League (ETPL), co-owned by Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan and sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC), has been postponed until 2026. The six-team franchise tournament, involving Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, was initially scheduled for July 15 to August 3, 2025, but organizers decided to delay the launch following consultations with key stakeholders to ensure a stronger foundation. A major factor in the postponement was that three potential franchise owners, who are also acquiring stakes in England's The Hundred, prioritized those deals, causing delays in franchise sales for the ETPL. The league, backed by Rules Sport Tech and national cricket boards, aims to be a professional and competitive tournament that will elevate European cricket on the global stage. Cities like Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam were planned as venues, and the ETPL is seen as a long-term project with significant investor and broadcaster interest. This postponement follows the earlier failed attempt with the Euro T20 Slam, highlighting the challenges of establishing a sustainable European T20 league.