The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) is a professional franchise cricket league launched to develop the sport in Europe's "final frontier". Organized by the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, it is the first ICC-sanctioned league to operate across mul
Schedule,Venues and Format for European T20
The inaugural EUT20 Belgium is scheduled to take place from June 6 to June 14, 2026. The tournament follows a professional franchise format designed to elevate cricket in mainland Europe.
Tournament Format
The competition uses a phased approach to determine the champion among its five participating franchises:
League Stage: A single round-robin where all five teams play each other once (10 matches total).
Playoff/Classification: An additional match between the teams finishing 4th and 5th in the league stage.
Super 4 Stage: The top four teams advance to another single round-robin group (6 matches).
Final: The top two teams from the Super 4 stage face off in the final on June 14, 2026.
Schedule
Matches are typically held at 12:30 and 16:30 (CEST).
|
Date |
Match |
Teams |
|
June 6 |
Match 1 |
JB Bruges vs Akcel United Brussels |
|
June 6 |
Match 2 |
Liège Red Lions vs Ghent Gladiators |
|
June 7 |
Match 3 |
JB Bruges vs Ghent Gladiators |
|
June 7 |
Match 4 |
Antwerp Anchors vs Akcel United Brussels |
|
June 8 |
Match 5 |
JB Bruges vs Liège Red Lions |
|
June 8 |
Match 6 |
Antwerp Anchors vs Ghent Gladiators |
|
June 9 |
Match 7 |
Liège Red Lions vs Akcel United Brussels |
|
June 9 |
Match 8 |
JB Bruges vs Antwerp Anchors |
|
June 10 |
Match 9 |
Ghent Gladiators vs Akcel United Brussels |
|
June 10 |
Match 10 |
Antwerp Anchors vs Liège Red Lions |
The Super 4 stage begins on June 11, leading up to the Final on June 14.
What is the origin and goal of the EU T20 league?
The EUT20 Belgium is a professional franchise-based Twenty20 cricket league launched to professionalise the sport in mainland Europe. Organised by Destino Legends Sports LLC in partnership with Cricket Belgium, the league aims to provide a high-performance stage where local Belgian talent can compete alongside global superstars.
Who are "Big Names" managing and co-founding the league?
The league's core leadership includes established sports entrepreneurs and federation officials:
Robin Chaudhary: The "architect" and Managing Partner of Destino Legends Sports LLC, credited with the league's strategic vision.
Umair Butt: Chairman of the Belgian Cricket Federation, who instrumentalized the partnership to professionalize the sport in Belgium.
Vedika Thakur: Founding Partner of Destino Legends Sports LLC.
Eoin Morgan: The 2019 World Cup-winning England captain serves as the Global Brand Ambassador, providing strategic oversight and international credibility.
Franchises and Owners
Several cricketing icons have moved beyond the field to become co-owners and strategic partners for specific teams:
Zaheer Khan: The Indian pace legend is a Co-Owner of the Antwerp Anchors. He is actively involved in shaping the team's cricketing identity and development strategy.
Irfan Pathan: The former Indian all-rounder recently joined the Ghent Gladiators as a Co-Owner and brand ambassador.
Nagendra Siddoutam: Owner of the Antwerp Anchors and key partner alongside Zaheer Khan.
Shahid Edakkan: Founder of TraWenture LLC, which owns the Ghent Gladiators.
Teams and Iconic Venues
The inaugural season of EUT20 Belgium, set to begin on June 6, 2026, will feature 14 matches played across the high-performance facilities of the host nation. The five foundation franchises include
Akcel United Brussels: Representing the capital city, coached by Mark Boucher. The squad is headlined by global stars Shakib Al Hasan, Jason Roy, and Alex Hales.
Antwerp Anchors: Based in Belgium’s diamond hub, co-owned by Indian legend Zaheer Khan. The team features powerhouse all-rounder Andre Russell and New Zealander Martin Guptill.
Ghent Gladiators: Representing the historic city of Ghent, coached by Jonathan Trott. The team is backed by Irfan Pathan and features South African captain Temba Bavuma.
JB Bruges: Based in the "Venice of the North," coached by Shivnarine Chanderpaul. The roster includes top-tier talent like Rassie van der Dussen and Colin Munro.
Liège Red Lions: Representing the Walloon region, coached by Herschelle Gibbs. The team is led by captain Faf du Plessis alongside veteran Shoaib Malik.
While the league celebrates cities across the country, the first season will be centralized at a premier high-performance hub:
Stars Arena (Hofstade, Zemst): Located near Brussels, this is the primary "iconic" venue for the 2026 season. It features specially curated natural grass pitches, a significant upgrade designed to bring world-class professional standards to Belgian cricket for the first time.
Global Talent Breakdown
The league features players from nearly 20 different nations, highlighting its reach beyond traditional cricket hubs:
South Africa: Heavily represented with 16 players, including current national team captains and T20 specialists.
England & Australia: Feature prominently with top-order explosive hitters like Jason Roy, Alex Hales, and Chris Lynn.
Associate Nations: A strong contingent from Nepal (8 players), USA, Scotland, and the UAE ensures a diverse and competitive environment.
Veteran Legends: Former stars like Shoaib Malik and Ravi Bopara bring years of franchise experience to the younger Belgian domestic players
