Glasgow and Edinburgh are now represented in the T20 cricket circuit through the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), though the league's inaugural season features no matches within Scotland. The first inter-city derby between the two Scottish franchises, Edinburgh Castle Rockers and Glasgow Cosmic, recently took place in Voorburg, Netherlands, marking a notable event after previous attempts to establish a European tournament had stalled.
The ETPL, a joint venture between Cricket Ireland and Indian firm Rules X, faced a year-long delay before its current six-team iteration. Both the league and its Scottish franchises have encountered challenges. The Edinburgh Castle Rockers saw their New Zealand-based ownership withdraw, leading the ETPL to step in and former England head coach Trevor Bayliss to take charge shortly before the tournament began.
The Glasgow Cosmic, previously slated to be named the Mugafians, also faced difficulties, including West Indies legend Chris Gayle stepping down from his co-owner and team ambassador role. Matthew Hayden, a former Australian batter, has joined as head coach. These franchises have faced scrutiny regarding their local ties, with foreign ownership, overseas coaches, and a lack of strong local connections.
Tournament rules mandate a minimum of five players from the host nations—the Netherlands, Ireland, and Scotland—per lineup, supplemented by players from larger nations and others. However, in the opening match between Edinburgh and Glasgow, only seven Scottish players were among the 22 participants. Several unused Scottish squad members watched from the sidelines, prompting questions about the priority given to overseas players over local talent.
The absence of home matches in Scotland for the first season presents a significant challenge for developing wider interest. Despite discussions about bringing squads to Scotland for community engagement and even offers to transport fans to the Netherlands, these initiatives have not yet materialized. This situation mirrors common criticisms of T20 franchise tournaments, which can sometimes feel detached from local fan bases and primarily cater to international audiences and betting markets.
Despite these early difficulties, the league's existence is seen as a positive step for the development of Scottish cricket. Hopes remain that as the tournament progresses, more local players will feature, the event's profile will grow, and future editions of the ETPL will bring matches to Scotland. Building a strong rivalry with an engaged fanbase behind both the Glasgow and Edinburgh teams is considered a long-term goal after a 132-year absence of such derbies.