ETPL inaugural season schedule: Rotterdam Dockers vs Amsterdam Flames to open on August 26
Synopsis
Europe's first major franchise T20 league has a schedule — and a star-studded one at that. The ETPL's 32-match inaugural season opens on 26 August at The Hague with Jonty Rhodes' Rotterdam Dockers vs Steve Waugh's Amsterdam Flames, before shifting to Dublin's Malahide for the knockouts. With Rahul Dravid, Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis and Matthew Hayden all involved as owners or players, this is the most credible attempt yet to build a franchise cricket ecosystem in Europe.
Key Takeaways
The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) runs from 26 August to 20 September across the Netherlands and Ireland .
The 32-match tournament features six franchises in a double round-robin format, with knockouts at Malahide Cricket Club, Dublin .
The opener on 26 August at Voorburg Cricket Club, The Hague pits Rotterdam Dockers (co-owned by Jonty Rhodes ) against Amsterdam Flames (co-owned by Steve Waugh ).
Rahul Dravid co-owns Dublin Guardians , captained by Ravichandran Ashwin ; Matthew Hayden co-owns Glasgow Cosmic .
International stars including Steve Smith , Faf du Plessis , Glenn Maxwell , Trent Boult , and Mitchell Marsh feature across the franchises.
The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) — Europe's first major franchise T20 competition — on Tuesday unveiled the full schedule for its inaugural season, with the tournament set to run from 26 August to 20 September across the Netherlands and Ireland. The six-team, 32-match competition marks a landmark moment for professional cricket on the continent.
Opening Match and Venues
The tournament gets underway at the Voorburg Cricket Club in The Hague, where Jonty Rhodes' Rotterdam Dockers will face Steve Waugh's Amsterdam Flames in the opening fixture. The competition then moves to Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin, which will host the remainder of the league stage as well as the Qualifier and the final.
The second match, scheduled for 27 August, will see the Dublin Guardians — backed by former India head coach Rahul Dravid and captained by Ravichandran Ashwin — take on Glenn Maxwell's Belfast Wolves.
Star Power Across All Six Franchises
The ETPL has assembled a formidable lineup of international talent. Among the headline names are Steve Smith, Tim David, Faf du Plessis, Heinrich Klaasen, Mitchell Marsh, Lungi Ngidi, and Trent Boult. They will be joined by prominent European players including Paul Stirling, Scott Edwards, Josh Little, George Dockrell, Aryan Dutt, Max O'Dowd, Richie Berrington, and Matthew Cross.
The Rotterdam Dockers opening lineup features du Plessis and Klaasen alongside Bollywood actor and co-owner John Abraham. The Amsterdam Flames are co-owned by Waugh and former field hockey star Jamie Dwyer.
What the Owners Said
Rotterdam Dockers co-owner Jonty Rhodes said: 'It is a privilege to open the inaugural ETPL season. We can't wait to bring Rotterdam's passion and spirit onto the field and share this historic moment with our home fans.'
Amsterdam Flames co-owner Steve Waugh welcomed the occasion, saying: 'The opening match is a fantastic opportunity to introduce Amsterdam Flames and the brand of cricket we want to play. We're proud to be part of this exciting new chapter for European cricket and look forward to getting underway.'
Dublin Guardians co-owner Rahul Dravid said: 'Representing Dublin in Europe's newest franchise T20 league is exciting. We look forward to an exciting inaugural season and to building something the city and its fans can be proud of.'
Glasgow Cosmic co-owner Matthew Hayden called the league 'a landmark moment for Scottish cricket,' adding: 'Glasgow Cosmic is proud to be part of this journey. We look forward to making our mark from the very first ball.'
Tournament Format
The 32-match league runs across 26 days, with each of the six franchises playing the other five twice in a round-robin format. The table-toppers qualify directly for the final, while the second and third-placed teams meet in a Qualifier to determine the second finalist. All knockout matches are scheduled at Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin.
Significance for European Cricket
The ETPL represents the most ambitious attempt yet to establish a professional franchise T20 ecosystem in Europe, drawing on the template of leagues in India, the Caribbean, and the UAE. With owners including former international captains and a roster spanning multiple Test-playing nations, the league is positioning itself as a genuine proving ground for European cricket talent alongside established global stars. How it fares commercially and on the field in its inaugural edition will determine whether franchise cricket can find a sustainable home on the continent.
Point of View
Waugh, Dravid, Hayden, Maxwell — reads like a Lord's honours board, and that is both its greatest asset and its most pointed question. Star ownership attracts attention; it does not guarantee crowds, broadcast deals, or a second season. European franchise cricket has been attempted before in smaller forms and stalled on the commercial fundamentals: thin domestic fanbases, dispersed diaspora audiences, and competition from an already saturated global T20 calendar. The ETPL's two-country model — Netherlands and Ireland — is pragmatic, but the real test will be whether it can build local identity beyond the imported names. If Malahide fills for the final, the league has a future. If it doesn't, even Dravid's credibility won't save it.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the European T20 Premier League (ETPL)?
The ETPL is Europe's first major franchise T20 cricket competition, featuring six city-based teams competing across the Netherlands and Ireland. Its inaugural season runs from 26 August to 20 September, with 32 matches played over 26 days.
Who plays in the ETPL opening match?
Rotterdam Dockers, co-owned by Jonty Rhodes, face Amsterdam Flames, co-owned by Steve Waugh and Jamie Dwyer, on 26 August at Voorburg Cricket Club in The Hague. The match marks the start of the ETPL's inaugural season.
Which international players are featuring in the ETPL?
The league features Steve Smith, Tim David, Ravichandran Ashwin, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Heinrich Klaasen, Mitchell Marsh, Lungi Ngidi, and Trent Boult, among others. Leading European players including Paul Stirling, Scott Edwards, and Josh Little are also part of the competition.
What is the ETPL tournament format?
Each of the six franchises plays the other five twice in a round-robin stage. The top team qualifies directly for the final, while the second and third-placed sides meet in a Qualifier. All knockout matches are held at Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin.
Who owns the Dublin Guardians in the ETPL?
Former India head coach Rahul Dravid is a co-owner of the Dublin Guardians. The team is captained by Ravichandran Ashwin and plays its home matches at Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin.
