Sydney, Jan 21 (NationPress) The European T20 Premier League (ETPL), officially endorsed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), announced on Wednesday that Amsterdam, Edinburgh, and Belfast will serve as the inaugural franchise cities for the upcoming tournament, set to kick off at the end of August this year.

During an international press conference held in Sydney, the league revealed the owners of its first three franchises. The franchise in Amsterdam will be led by legendary Australian cricketer Steve Waugh, alongside Olympic gold medalist and five-time World Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer, as well as Tim Thomas, the former CEO of the Centre for Australia-India Relations and ex-Partner at KPMG Australia.

Waugh expressed, "I have always been discerning about where I dedicate my time and energy in cricket. Franchise cricket has grown rapidly, but this opportunity is unique due to its aspirational and long-term nature. In many respects, it signifies my return to the game but in a different capacity. This is about preserving the standards and spirit of cricket while facilitating its expansion into Europe, the last great frontier of the sport."

The Edinburgh franchise will be co-owned by former New Zealand cricketers Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills, the latter being a former ICC No.1 ODI bowler.

In Belfast, ownership falls to Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, along with Rohan Lund, the former Group CEO of NRMA.

This announcement marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of professional cricket in Europe and signifies the initial phase of the ETPL's franchise rollout prior to its debut season, which is set to commence in the last week of August.

Maxwell stated, "I am excited to be part of the Irish Wolves franchise, where we aim to foster a culture of enjoyment, family, and fearless play. The Irish community cherishes their sports, and Cricket Ireland has made significant advancements over the last two decades. The Wolves and the ETPL will hasten that progress, and I am immensely proud to be leading the franchise in its inaugural season."

According to Mills, "The chance to be involved in franchise ownership within a league characterized by robust governance and strong board partnerships is incredibly appealing. ETPL possesses all the essential elements to become a serious contender in global cricket."

The ETPL operates through a joint venture between Rules Global ("Rules X") and Cricket Ireland, a Full Member of the ICC. Co-founders include Abhishek Bachchan, Saurav Banerjee, Priyanka Kaul, and Dhiraj Malhotra, with formal partnerships established with Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB).

Co-founder Abhishek Bachchan, a renowned Indian actor and sports entrepreneur, claimed, "My journey in sports has shown me that impactful franchises are built on intent, integrity, and vision; these three teams embody that ethos. The ETPL will unite established international stars with emerging talent from Europe and other associate nations, while maintaining top-tier governance, transparency, and sporting integrity, setting a new standard for developing franchise leagues."

Co-founder Saurav Banerjee added, "Europe encompasses nearly one-third of the ICC’s global membership, with 34 member nations across the continent, representing the largest concentration globally. Through professional governance, a franchise-based model, and long-term discipline, ETPL aims to spur sustainable commercial growth and elevate European cricket on the worldwide stage."

As European cricket gains traction, highlighted by Italy's qualification for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and England, Ireland, and Scotland hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Europe is set to play a critical role in shaping the future of the sport.

Brian MacNeice, Chair of ETPL and non-executive Director on the Board of Cricket Ireland, remarked, "The launch of the European T20 Premier League is not only a milestone for European cricket but also a significant step forward for the growth of Irish cricket. Since achieving Full Membership, we’ve made steady, sustainable progress as a sport — and in the coming years, we anticipate a substantial leap forward."

Trudy Lindblade, CEO of Cricket Scotland, stated, "We are thrilled to welcome the first three ETPL franchise owners. This league symbolizes a major advancement for European cricket, and we appreciate the contributions of all stakeholders in creating a truly exciting and groundbreaking opportunity for everyone involved, especially for Scottish players and cricket supporters in this nation."

Lucas Hendriske, interim CEO of KNCB, added, "The launch of the European T20 Premier League will represent a landmark moment for cricket in Europe. This league will accelerate cricket's growth across the region by enhancing visibility, high-performance standards, and inspiration for the next generation. We are proud to see Europe take this progressive step and are excited about the pivotal role that the Netherlands will play in shaping its future."