Glasgow Mugafians: New Franchise in Europe's First ICC-Sanctioned T20 League
Introduction of the Glasgow Mugafians
On Monday, the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), which is the first ICC-sanctioned T20 franchise league in Europe, unveiled the 'Glasgow Mugafians'. This franchise, representing Scotland, is supported by the Mugafi Group and owned by Tansha Batra, with West Indies cricket legend Chris Gayle taking on the roles of Co-Owner and Global Brand Ambassador.
Mugafi Group's Role
As per the ETPL's press release, the Mugafi Group, founded by Vipul Agrawal, will deliver the necessary commercial, content, and digital infrastructure to help the franchise achieve its global aspirations.
Overview of the ETPL
The ETPL is a collaborative effort between Cricket Ireland and Rules Global (Rules X). It is co-founded by notable figures including Abhishek Bachchan, Saurav Banerjee (former Co-CEO of a major media house), Priyanka Kaul (former CEO of Forbes), and Dhiraj Malhotra (former CEO of Delhi Capitals and ex-GM of BCCI). The league is being developed in conjunction with Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association.
Inaugural Season Details
The first edition of the ETPL is scheduled to run from August 26 to September 20, 2026. It will feature six franchises from Glasgow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, and Rotterdam, competing in a total of 33 matches.
Insights from Stakeholders
Abhishek Bachchan expressed excitement about the Glasgow franchise, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome the Mugafi Group and Chris Gayle on this journey. Europe is an exciting frontier for cricket, rich in sporting culture and diversity. The ETPL aims to unlock talent and establish Europe as a significant hub for the sport."
Vipul Agrawal highlighted the potential of cricket as a global sport, noting, "Cricket has 2.5 billion fans worldwide, and owning a franchise in Europe's first ICC-sanctioned league is a unique opportunity. This is a once-in-a-generation asset that we aim to develop."
Tansha Batra emphasized that the franchise is about professionalizing cricket in Scotland, stating, "Glasgow Mugafians will showcase Scotland's cricket story to the world."
Chris Gayle remarked on his new role, saying, "Becoming a co-owner of Glasgow Mugafians is an exciting chapter for me. The ETPL is poised to discover local talent and nurture future cricket stars in Europe."
Franchise Line-up
The ETPL has attracted prominent figures in cricket and sports as franchise owners. The Amsterdam franchise is supported by Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh and hockey star Jamie Dwyer, with Mitchell Marsh as captain. Glenn Maxwell co-owns the Belfast franchise, while Edinburgh is backed by New Zealand players Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum, with Mitchell Santner leading as captain. With Chris Gayle and Tansha Batra leading the Glasgow Mugafians, the franchise joins this prestigious group.