European T20 Premier League Postponed to 2026, Know the Reason Behind the Delay

The European T20 Premier League (ETPL), co-owned by Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, has been postponed until 2026. The ICC-approved annual T20 franchise tournament was originally planned to take place from July 15 to August 3.

The six-team tournament, approved by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on November 27 last year, is a major collaboration between the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. Its goal is to promote and develop European cricket worldwide.

The organisers made this decision after consulting closely with important people from cricket, business, and media. The first edition of the ETPL, which will be held under the joint support of Cricket Ireland, Cricket Netherlands, and Cricket Scotland, was scheduled from July 15 to August 3.

The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) will officially launch in 2026 following unanimous approval by the Board. This decision comes after extensive talks with key people from cricket, business, and media,” Cricket Ireland said.

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“The initial 2025 window for the tournament provided a solid foundation, but discussions with interested franchisees, broadcasters, sponsors, and governing bodies made it clear that 2026 offers the best chance for ETPL to succeed,” it added.

It is reported that the three potential ETPL franchise owners, who are also investing in The Hundred, chose to focus on those deals first, leading to the league’s postponement.

“We are 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 long-lasting. With the support of Rules Sport Tech and the national boards of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, ETPL is shaping up to be a powerful new force in global cricket,” said Warren Deutrom, Chairman of ETPL.

What Was the Reason for Postponing ETPL?

According to a Cricbuzz report, the ETPL statement said, “The initial period of 2025 provided a solid foundation, but conversations with franchise aspirants, broadcasters, sponsors, and governing bodies made it clear that 2026 would give the league the best chance to succeed.” The report notes that the potential owners are busy with the Hundred tournament and could not commit to ETPL in 2025.

Where Were the ETPL Matches to Be Held?

Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam were chosen to host the ETPL matches. The league’s promotion is led by Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan. It is also supported by a Delhi-based Indian company and was approved by the International Cricket Council (ICC).