The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) is bringing franchise cricket to a new audience across Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands. With six city-based teams and a group of internationally recognised cricket figures behind them, ETPL teams are designed to connect local talent with global T20 experience.
From the Dublin Guardians and Belfast’s Glenn Maxwell-backed franchise to Rotterdam’s star-studded ownership group, the league is positioning itself as an ambitious European cricket tournament. Here is a guide to the confirmed ETPL teams, owners and key figures based on the available information.
ETPL teams and owners
Rotterdam Dockers
The Rotterdam franchise was acquired by a consortium led by Faf du Plessis, Jonty Rhodes and Heinrich Klaasen, with Madhukar Shree joining as managing partner. Faf du Plessis has been announced as captain, while Klaasen is expected to contribute as a player. Their combined leadership, coaching insight and T20 expertise give Rotterdam a strong international profile.
Edinburgh
The Edinburgh franchise will be owned by former New Zealand internationals Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills. McCullum brings experience as a New Zealand player and high-performance cricket coach, while Mills is a former fast bowler who reached the top of the ODI bowling rankings. Their involvement adds specialist knowledge to the Edinburgh ETPL team.
Belfast
Belfast will be owned by Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, known globally as “The Big Show”, alongside Rohan Lund, former Group CEO of NRMA, and additional strategic partners expected to be announced later. Maxwell’s international reputation makes the Belfast franchise one of the most recognisable names in the ETPL.
Amsterdam Flames
The Amsterdam franchise is led by Steve Waugh, the former Australian captain and World Cup-winning leader. Jamie Dwyer, a five-time World Player of the Year and Olympic gold medallist, and Tim Thomas, former CEO of the Centre for Australia-India Relations and former KPMG Australia partner, are also part of the ownership group.
Glasgow Cosmics
The Glasgow franchise has been strengthened by the addition of Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden as co-owner and head coach. Backed by the Mugafi Group and owned by Tansha Batra, Glasgow Cosmics aims to promote Scotland’s cricket ecosystem while attracting worldwide attention. The franchise also highlights ETPL’s stated goal of developing local players alongside established international stars.
Dublin Guardians
Dublin, Ireland’s capital on the River Liffey, is home to the Dublin Guardians. Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid acquired the Dublin-based franchise, while Ravichandran Ashwin will lead the outfit and serve as mentor. The Dublin Guardians are expected to be central to the league’s efforts to grow cricket in Ireland and create a bridge between Irish players and international T20 talent.
Why the ETPL matters for European cricket
The European T20 Premier League is built around six franchises across three nations: Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands. Its stated concept combines entertainment with sporting integrity, pairing local heroes with global stars and creating a platform for the future of cricket in Europe.
- Six city-based franchises across three European nations
- International cricket figures involved as owners, captains, mentors and coaches
- A focus on developing local talent through franchise cricket
- An ambition to expand the visibility of T20 cricket in Europe
Read more: Ireland cricket and European sports
For further coverage of cricket in Ireland, European sport and major tournament developments, explore Ireland sports news and cricket updates and European sports business coverage.
What to watch next from ETPL
Supporters will be looking for further announcements about ETPL squads, players, fixtures, venues, ticketing, broadcast arrangements and the league schedule. Details on the final team structures and playing groups will be especially important as the franchises prepare to establish their identities.
The ownership line-up already gives the competition significant visibility. Faf du Plessis, Jonty Rhodes, Heinrich Klaasen, Steve Waugh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Hayden, Rahul Dravid and Ravichandran Ashwin each bring experience from different eras and areas of elite cricket.
Explore more: European cricket coverage
Follow wider reporting on international sport and emerging cricket markets through global sports and lifestyle news, including coverage of European cricket and major sporting events.
Conclusion
The ETPL is taking shape as a six-team European franchise competition with a clear focus on city-based identity, international expertise and local development. With the Dublin Guardians, Rotterdam, Edinburgh, Belfast, Amsterdam and Glasgow franchises now linked to prominent cricket figures, the league has created a strong foundation for its next stage. The most important ETPL updates will now be the confirmation of squads, fixtures and broadcast details as the tournament moves closer to competitive action.
