Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has become one of the franchise investors in the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL), set to be played across Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands later this year. The six-team tournament, postponed in 2025 due to delayed franchise sales, will finally begin on 26 August 2026.
Waugh leads Amsterdam franchise
Waugh will head the Amsterdam Flames, backed by a consortium that includes former Australian hockey star Jamie Dwyer and businessman Tim Thomas. The franchise has already signed Australian internationals Steve Smith and Mitch Marsh as overseas players.
“I’m not signing up to a Mickey Mouse T20 competition. This is the real deal,” Waugh told BBC Sport. “I wouldn’t be lending my name to it if it wasn’t. The players we’ve spoken to are very keen to play.”
Major investments confirmed
BBC Sport understands franchises were sold for £11.1m ($15m) over a 10-year period. Each team will have a salary cap of around £1.1m ($1.5m) per season, making it one of the better-funded associate-nation leagues.
Bollywood star joins ownership group
Actor and producer Abhishek Bachchan is also a part-owner of the ETPL through Rules Sport Tech. “With the quality of players signing on, everything about this tournament will be world class,” Bachchan said.
Maxwell and McCullum back teams
Glenn Maxwell and his brother Daniel have invested in the Belfast franchise, expected to be named the Irish Wolves. Meanwhile, the Edinburgh side – Castle Rockers – is owned by New Zealand investors including former internationals Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum.
Clashes with major tournaments
The ETPL will overlap with the Caribbean Premier League (15 August–22 September) and England’s Test series against Pakistan. Centrally-contracted England players will need an ECB NOC to participate.
Local player quota announced
At least seven players per squad must be from Europe, mainly from Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, providing opportunities for associate nation cricketers.
Cricket Ireland chair Brian MacNeice called the league a “crucial step forward” while Cricket Scotland CEO Trudy Lindblade said it was a “groundbreaking opportunity” for Scottish players.
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