The Dream11 European Cricket Championship (ECC), also known as the "Euros of Cricket," continues to captivate cricket enthusiasts across Europe, growing in scale and stature with each passing year. Established in 2021 by the European Cricket Network (ECN), this prestigious T10 tournament has evolved into a premier platform for showcasing the continent's cricketing talent.
From its modest beginnings with 15 participating teams in the inaugural edition, the ECC has rapidly expanded in scope and significance. In 2022, the tournament witnessed the participation of 21 teams, followed by a remarkable surge to 31 teams in 2023. This year marks yet another milestone, with a record 32 teams set to compete in the ECC.
To enhance the competitiveness and excitement of the tournament, a revamped format has been introduced for the 2024 edition. Teams have been categorized into two tiers based on their rankings from the previous year – Challenger Division and Premier Division. The action kicks off with Challenger Division on September 23, 2024, featuring 11 lower-ranked teams divided into two groups. The finalists from Challenger Division will earn promotion to Premier Division for the subsequent edition, ECC25.
Subsequently, the Premier Division commences on October 3, 2024, featuring 21 teams divided into four groups. Notably, the defending champions, England XI, have secured automatic qualification for the Championship Week. However, the stakes remain high, as the lowest-ranked team from the main draw will face relegation to Challenger Division for ECC25.
The introduction of this dynamic format underscores ECN's commitment to fostering competitive cricketing encounters and providing a platform for emerging talents to shine on the European stage.
Here are the groups for the 2024 Dream11 European Cricket Championship:
CHALLENGER DIVISION
Group 1 (23 Sep - 26 Sep)
Isle of Man
Estonia
Bulgaria
Croatia
Türkiye
Slovenia
Group 2 (27 Sep - 29 Sep)
Greece
Czechia
Luxembourg
Cyprus
Serbia
CHALLENGER DIVISION PLAYOFFS (30 Sep - 2 Oct)
PREMIER DIVISION
Group A (3 Oct - 5 Oct)
Ireland XI
Scotland XI
France
Portugal
Guernsey
Group B (6 Oct - 8 Oct)
Germany
Hungary
Denmark
Austria
Romania
Group C (9 Oct - 11 Oct)
Spain
Switzerland
Belgium
Malta
Finland
Group D (12 Oct - 14 Oct)
Netherlands XI
Jersey
Italy
Sweden
Norway
Championship Week (15 Oct - 19 Oct)
England XI (Winner of ECC23)
Winner of Group A
Winner of Group B
Winner of Group C
Winner of Group D
Stay tuned for more updates!