Bollywood superstar and sports entrepreneur John Abraham has joined the Rotterdam Dockers as Co-Owner ahead of the inaugural season of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), scheduled to take place from August 26 to September 20, 2026. His addition marks another significant milestone for the league as it continues to attract prominent personalities from the worlds of sport and entertainment to support the growth of cricket across Europe.
John joins an accomplished ownership and leadership group that includes cricket legends Jonty Rhodes, Faf du Plessis and Heinrich Klaasen, alongside Managing Partner Madhukar Shree. Together, they will lead the Rotterdam Dockers into the league's first season with the aim of establishing a competitive franchise while contributing to the long-term development of cricket in Europe.
The ETPL will feature six city-based franchises representing Glasgow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast and Rotterdam. Comprising 32 matches, the tournament is designed to provide emerging European cricketers with the opportunity to compete alongside internationally renowned players while accelerating the sport's growth across Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands.
Expressing his excitement about joining the franchise, John Abraham highlighted cricket's unique ability to unite people and create opportunities.
"Cricket has the power to inspire, unite and create opportunities, and that's exactly what excites me about the European T20 Premier League. Europe represents one of cricket's most exciting growth markets, and Rotterdam Dockers has the vision, leadership and ambition to build something truly special. I am delighted to join this journey and contribute towards creating a platform that helps uncover and nurture the next generation of cricketing talent," John said.
Welcoming John Abraham to the Rotterdam Dockers family, Managing Partner Madhukar Shree described his arrival as a major boost for the franchise's long-term vision.
"John brings tremendous passion, energy and a proven track record of building successful sporting ventures. More importantly, he shares our belief in the immense potential of cricket in Europe. His involvement strengthens our vision of creating a franchise that not only competes at the highest level but also leaves a lasting impact on the growth of the game," he said.
ETPL Co-Founder Abhishek Bachchan also welcomed John to the league, praising both his entrepreneurial spirit and his commitment to sport.
"John's passion for sport and his track record as a sports entrepreneur make him a fantastic addition to the Rotterdam Dockers' ownership group. His involvement reflects the growing belief in the potential of cricket across Europe and aligns perfectly with our vision of building a league that creates opportunities and accelerates the growth of the game. We are delighted to welcome him to the ETPL family," Abhishek said.
The ETPL ownership ecosystem brings together some of cricket's most respected names, including Steve Waugh, Rahul Dravid, Jonty Rhodes, Matthew Hayden, Faf du Plessis and Heinrich Klaasen. Their collective involvement reflects the league's ambition to combine sporting excellence with meaningful local engagement while setting new benchmarks for franchise cricket in Europe.
The European T20 Premier League is a joint venture between Cricket Ireland and Rules Global (Rules X). The league has been co-founded and co-owned by Abhishek Bachchan, Saurav Banerjee, Priyanka Kaul and Dhiraj Malhotra in partnership with Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association.
With John Abraham joining the Rotterdam Dockers, the ETPL continues to strengthen its profile as it prepares for its inaugural season, combining global sporting expertise, celebrity ownership and a shared vision to expand cricket's footprint across Europe.
