Faf du Plessis, Jonty Rhodes, and Heinrich Klaasen are co-owning a T20 franchise in Europe to elevate local talent and cricket infrastructure. The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) will kick off on August 26, 2026, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The ETPL will feature six city-based teams representing Glasgow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, and Rotterdam. The inaugural season is set to run until September 20, 2026, with a total of 33 matches scheduled.
Faf du Plessis will serve as both captain and co-owner of the Rotterdam franchise. He stated, “It’s not your overseas players that win you competitions; it’s the local players.” This reflects the league’s goal to focus on developing local Dutch talent.
Jonty Rhodes and Heinrich Klaasen are also co-owners of the Rotterdam franchise. Rhodes expressed excitement about the project but acknowledged some apprehension: “It is an exciting place to be, (but) it’s a bit scary.” Klaasen believes that the involvement of prominent names will enhance the league’s quality.
The ETPL was co-founded by Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan. He aims to support cricket development in Europe through this initiative. The Dutch national team has previously secured notable wins over England, South Africa, and the West Indies, showcasing their potential in international cricket.
Cricket development in the Netherlands has benefitted from support by the English cricket board. This partnership has helped foster growth in Dutch cricket.
As the launch date approaches, further details about player signings and match venues are expected to emerge. However, no specific timeline for these announcements has been shared yet.
