Cricket Ireland is preparing to launch a new European T20 tournament, the 'Euro Nations Cup,' with plans to begin as early as 2027. The tournament would emulate the structure of the Asia Cup and feature top European nations, potentially including England, Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands, and Italy. Both men's and women's teams are expected to participate, highlighting the growing profile of European cricket in multiple formats.

Brian MacNeice, Cricket Ireland chair, expressed his enthusiasm for the concept, describing it as a long-term vision that has been under discussion with various stakeholders for some time. “I’ve had this on the table for discussion with multiple stakeholders for quite some time. It’s something I am very passionate about and fundamentally believe in,” he said during the launch of Ireland’s 2026 home international fixtures. MacNeice noted that discussions have evolved positively, and he expects the tournament to kick off in the summer of 2027, with detailed formats and broadcasting arrangements to be announced in the coming months.

The Euro Nations Cup would provide competitive opportunities for European teams to showcase their talent in both men’s and women’s cricket, with T20 as the most likely format. MacNeice emphasized that the tournament aims to generate broadcaster interest and grow cricket across Europe, taking inspiration from the success of similar regional events like the Asia Cup.

In addition to the Euro Nations Cup, Cricket Ireland announced long-term bilateral arrangements with the Emirates Cricket Board and the Cricket Association of Nepal. These agreements will see Ireland’s men play regular white-ball series against the UAE and Nepal, while also creating opportunities for ILT20 franchise teams to sign at least one Ireland player from the 2026-27 season onward.

The Euro Nations Cup aligns with Cricket Ireland’s broader strategy to increase international exposure for players and raise the standard of cricket across Europe. By establishing a recurring T20 tournament, Ireland hopes to attract more competitive matches, broadcast attention, and development opportunities for both men and women cricketers, strengthening the sport’s footprint in the region ahead of 2027 and beyond.