The European Cricket Association (ECA) has announced plans to launch the European Champions Trophy in 2026, a T20 International competition that will bring together the national club champions from across the continent. The move represents a significant step in raising the profile of European cricket and providing competitive opportunities for club teams at an international level.
The announcement followed the ECA’s annual conference last week in Istanbul, where member federations were invited to submit proposals to host the tournament by 31 January 2026. A final decision on the host nation is expected in February, according to an official statement from the ECA.
Recognising the growing commercial appeal of shorter formats, the ECA is also exploring the introduction of T10 competitions in 2026. “The ECA will examine the feasibility of T10 events to support the financial sustainability of our member federations. Recommendations from the Marketing and Competition Commissions will be presented at the Executive Committee meeting in the first quarter of 2026,” the statement added.
Delegates from all 13 member federations participated in the congress, which confirmed a quorum and proceeded with elections, competition planning, and regulatory updates. Gabriel Marin of Romania was elected ECA President, with Yousuf Gilani of Norway becoming the first Vice-President. Other vice-presidents include Gurumurty Palani (France), Mohammad Bilal Zalmani (Austria), and Indika Thilan Perera (Malta).
The ECA Board was expanded to its full 11-member structure, welcoming Nicolas Fournarakis (Greece), Nikolay Kolev (Bulgaria), Abdul Shakoor (Romania), Nahit Sahin (Turkey), Sarah Gomersall (Jersey), and Luca Bruno Malaspina (Italy).
President Marin emphasised the organisation’s long-term strategic goals, including European Championships for men and women, an Under-19 European Championship, and grassroots development programmes to promote cricket as a vehicle for education, social cohesion, and community engagement. “We aim to make the ECA a sustainable and influential presence in Europe’s sporting landscape,” he said.