The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) has taken a significant step towards its inaugural season after securing a comprehensive international broadcast distribution network, with JioStar, TNT Sports, HBO Max, Willow and Cricbuzz acquiring media rights across major cricket markets worldwide.
The agreements ensure the tournament will be available across India, the United Kingdom, Ireland, North America, the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia, providing the league with immediate global visibility ahead of its debut from August 26 to September 20, 2026.
Positioned as Europe’s first ICC-sanctioned franchise T20 competition, the ETPL will feature six city-based franchises representing Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The 32-match tournament has been established by the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands to accelerate the professionalisation of the sport across Europe while creating new commercial opportunities for players, franchises and partners.
Under the rights agreements, JioStar has secured exclusive television and digital rights in India, while TNT Sports will broadcast the competition in the UK and Ireland alongside streaming platform HBO Max. Willow will deliver coverage across the United States, Canada, the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia, with Cricbuzz complementing the international distribution through its digital streaming platform in selected territories.
The multi-market broadcast strategy gives the ETPL access to some of cricket’s largest consumer markets from its inaugural season, significantly enhancing the league’s commercial appeal for sponsors and franchise investors while providing a platform to showcase European cricket to a global audience.
Priyanka Kaul, Co-Founder, ETPL, said, “At ETPL, we have brought together players, owners and stakeholders from across the cricketing world. Our partnerships with JioStar, TNT Sports and Willow, together with Cricbuzz and several more to be announced soon, will provide exceptional visibility for our franchises, players, sponsors and partners while showcasing European cricket to millions of fans around the world.”
Brian MacNeice, Chair, Cricket Ireland, added, “ETPL is a transformational opportunity for cricket in Europe. The league’s broadcast partnerships will ensure that fans around the world can engage with the competition, while providing an important platform to grow the game, develop emerging talent and accelerate the continued growth of cricket across Europe. This partnership also helps showcase the growing strength and contribution of European cricket on the global stage.”
Prashant Khanna, Head of Rights & Innovation for Sports, JioStar, continued, “The European T20 Premier League is an exciting addition to the global cricket calendar and reflects the continued growth of the game beyond its traditional markets. At JioStar, we’re always looking to bring quality sporting properties to our viewers, and ETPL offers a unique combination of emerging European talent and established international players. We’re excited to partner with the league and look forward to introducing this new competition to audiences across India.”
Trojan Paillot, Senior Vice President, Rights, Syndication and Commercial Development, WBD Sports Europe, shared, “We’re delighted to partner with the European T20 Premier League and bring what promises to be an exciting new chapter in cricket to fans across the UK and Ireland. The inaugural season brings together a mix of international stars and emerging talent, creating a competition with all the ingredients to capture the imagination of cricket fans.
“At TNT Sports, we’re always looking to showcase the most exciting stories and competitions from across the sporting world, and ETPL is a fantastic addition to our growing portfolio of premium live sport, giving audiences something fresh and entertaining to look forward to. Following an incredible Summer of Sport on TNT Sports, the arrival of ETPL is the perfect way to round off a thrilling couple of months as we head towards an eagerly-awaited autumn with the start of the football and rugby seasons.”
Todd Myers, Chief Operating Officer, Willow, concluded with, “ETPL is a bold and ambitious venture that reflects cricket’s continued evolution as a truly global sport. The league combines a unique growth opportunity in Europe with a strong commitment to developing talent and expanding the game’s reach. We are pleased to partner with ETPL and bring the inaugural season to cricket fans across North America, the Middle East and North Africa, and Southeast Asia, helping connect audiences in these regions with one of the most exciting new competitions in world cricket.”
With a broad international broadcast footprint secured before a ball has been bowled, the ETPL has laid a strong commercial foundation as it seeks to establish itself as Europe’s premier franchise cricket property and a new growth engine for the global game.
