European T20 Premier League 2026: Schedule, Squads, Timings, Venues, and All You Need To Know

The cricketing landscape is expanding, and the inaugural season of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL 2026) stands as a testament to this growth. Starting August 26, 2026, this new ICC-sanctioned franchise-based T20 tournament is set to ignite the European summer, promising high-octane cricket, a blend of global superstars and local talent, and a significant step forward for the sport on the continent.

A Blockbuster Opening Clash

The ETPL 2026 will kick off with a mouth-watering Netherlands derby as Rotterdam Dockers take on Amsterdam Flames in the very first match of the season on Wednesday, August 26, at 6:45 PM IST at Sportpark Duivesteijn in Voorburg. This opening encounter pits two Dutch rivals against each other, setting the tone for what promises to be an intense and fiercely competitive tournament. The Rotterdam-Amsterdam rivalry adds an extra layer of excitement to the season opener, with both teams boasting star-studded lineups eager to make a statement.

• Rotterdam Dockers, led by the experienced Faf du Plessis, will look to start their campaign on a winning note with a formidable squad featuring Heinrich Klaasen, Anrich Nortje, David Wiese, and Logan van Beek.
• Amsterdam Flames, captained by Scott Edwards, have assembled a batting powerhouse including Steve Smith, Tim David, and Ajinkya Rahane, with the bowling attack bolstered by Trent Boult and Michael Bracewell.

League with a Vision

The ETPL 2026 is more than just a new tournament; it's a strategic move to develop cricket in Europe. The league's primary vision is to provide players from associate cricket nations with more opportunities to compete at a high level, while also focusing on the development and improvement of local talent. By creating a professional platform, the ETPL aims to bridge the gap between emerging European players and the established stars of the game.

ETPL 2026 Franchises

The first season of the ETPL will feature six city-based franchises representing different European cricketing hubs.

ETPL 2026 Venues

The tournament is designed as a two-country affair to underline its cross-border appeal. 

ETPL 2026: Full Schedule, Dates, Timings, and Venues

The ETPL will have a total of 11 double headers, with the afternoon matches starting at 3 PM IST. The evening matches will begin at 6:45 PM IST. Rotterdam Dockers will take on Amsterdam Flames in the opening clash.

ETPL 2026: Full Squads of All Teams:

Amsterdam Flames

Mitchell Marsh (c), Steve Smith, Tim David, Ajinkya Rahane, Michael Bracewell, Richard Gleeson, David Payne, Yuvraj Samra, Ali Hassan, Scott Edwards, Max O'Dowd, Bas de Leede, Curtis Campher, Tim Pringle, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein, Jordan Neill, David Rushmere

Belfast Wolves

Glenn Maxwell (c), Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Devon Conway, David Miller, Mark Chapman, Paul Stirling, Harry Manenti, Mark Adair, Alexander Roy, Crishan Kalugamage, Gavin Hoey, Matthew Humphreys, Chris Jordan, Fred Klaassen, Saurabh Netravalkar, Zainullah Ihsan

Dublin Guardians

Ravichandran Ashwin (c), Harry Tector, James Vince, Muhammad Waseem, Benjamin Calitz, George Dockrell, Daryl Mitchell, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Vijay Shankar, Chris Greaves, Peter Hatzoglou, Matthew Hollard, Craig Young, Chris Wood, Josh Little, Noah Croes

Edinburgh Castle Rockers

Mitchell Santner (c), Ross Adair, Andries Gous, Charlie Tear, Gareth Delany, JJ Smuts, Laurie Evans, Brandon McMullen, Finlay McCreath, Tom Curran, Sean Solia, Mark Watt, Jack Jarvis, Trent Boult, Safyaan Sharif, Khuzaima Tanveer, Andrew Tye

Glasgow Cosmic

George Munsey (c), Richie Berrington, Jason Roy, Jimmy Neesham, Liam Livingstone, Josh Philippe, Matthew Cross, Gerhard Erasmus, Michael Leask, Moises Henriques, Oliver Davidson, Keshav Maharaj, Ali Khan, Brad Currie, Duan Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Paul van Meekeren, Chris McBride

Rotterdam Dockers

Faf du Plessis (c), Heinrich Klaasen, Anrich Nortje, Aneurin Donald, Ben McDermott, Shubham Ranjane, Ben Manenti, David Wiese, Roelof van der Merwe, Logan van Beek, Jai Moondra, Michael Levitt, Ryan Klein, Jasper Davidson, Saqib Zulfiqar, Vikramjit Singh