Plans to launch an annual European T20 championship have suffered a setback after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) declined to approve proposals that would have seen the competition staged in England, including a final at Lord’s.
The proposed Euro Nations Cup, planned as annual men’s and women’s tournaments from 2027, has been under discussion between Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland and Cricket Netherlands. The competition was intended to provide regular, high-quality international fixtures for Europe’s leading sides outside the ICC calendar while fostering regional rivalries.
According to a BBC Sport report, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) had backed the proposal and was prepared to host the finals at Lord’s. Wormsley, the Oxfordshire ground owned by Sir Paul Getty and operated in partnership with the MCC, had also been identified as a potential venue. However, staging an official T20 International tournament in England required ECB approval. The board is understood to have declined to sign the necessary hosting agreement, effectively ruling out England as the venue.
The ECB declined to comment on the latest developments. Concerns over the domestic calendar were among the key reasons behind the decision, with the ECB wary of additional international cricket clashing with the county season. The governing body’s reservations are not new. Earlier this year, ECB chief executive Richard Gould described the idea as “a very nice idea” but suggested England’s packed international schedule made participation difficult.
England’s involvement was expected to significantly enhance the tournament’s profile. Alongside Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands with Italy also considered as a possible participant—the presence of one of the world’s leading teams would have boosted commercial interest, broadcasting opportunities and sponsorship while helping overcome the shortage of international-standard venues elsewhere in Europe.
The setback comes at a time when women’s cricket in Europe has gathered significant momentum. Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands all featured at the recently concluded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England, underlining the region’s growing presence on the global stage. Ireland registered a landmark group-stage victory over the West Indies, while Scotland, playing in just their second successive World Cup, produced several competitive performances against higher-ranked opponents despite missing out on the knockout stages.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, marked their maiden appearance at the tournament after progressing through the global qualifiers. The World Cup itself attracted record attendances and broadcast viewership, further highlighting the growing interest in the women’s game and the potential for more regular international competitions.
Despite those encouraging signs, opportunities to play regular, competitive cricket outside ICC events remain limited. An annual European championship was expected to help bridge that gap by giving the region’s leading teams consistent international fixtures, strengthening player development pathways and building rivalries that could further raise the standard of women’s cricket across Europe.
The proposal has also found support within the International Cricket Council (ICC). A senior ICC official said the ECB should “realise that a rising tide lifts all boats” by playing a greater role in supporting neighbouring cricket nations, reflecting a wider belief that stronger regional competition would ultimately benefit the global women’s game.
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