Abhishek Bachchan is making waves beyond Bollywood, co-founding the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) alongside cricket icons like Steve Waugh and Glenn Maxwell. This six-franchise T20 spectacle, launching in 2026, targets cricket’s growth in Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands.
The league’s inaugural season runs August 26 to September 20, strategically placed post-The Hundred. As the first multi-nation ICC-sanctioned T20 in Europe, it sets a new benchmark despite possible CPL clashes.
Ownership highlights include Waugh’s Amsterdam Flames with Jamie Dwyer; Maxwell’s Irish Wolves with Rohan Lund; and Mills-McCullum’s Edinburgh buyout. Bachchan’s group features Dhiraj Malhotra, marking his international sports foray after Indian successes.
Player commitments are rolling in: Smith, Marsh, and Edwards for Flames, with Tim David in discussions. Waugh predicts a ‘game-changer’ for European cricketers, offering rare access to world-class pros.
A collaboration of Cricket Ireland, Rules Global, Cricket Scotland, and Netherlands Cricket, ETPL emphasizes building facilities and delivering premium fan entertainment. An Indian broadcaster deal is on the horizon, matches focused in Ireland/Netherlands, finals venue under review. Sold teams: Amsterdam, Belfast, Edinburgh. Upcoming: Dublin, Rotterdam, Glasgow.
From celebrity backing to strategic alliances, ETPL is engineered for impact, promising to nurture talent, boost infrastructure, and deliver thrilling T20 action that resonates across borders.