ECB confirms venues for new T20 competition

London, February 15: The eight venues that will stage matches in the new English domestic Twenty20 competition to run from 2020 have been confirmed.

In April last year the 38 members of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) voted to approve plans for a new competition to run alongside the T20 Blast, which is contested by the 18 first-class counties.

The new tournament will see eight city-based franchises compete for the title across a 38-day period, with the top four teams progressing to the play-offs, mirroring the format used in the Big Bash League in Australia and the Indian Premier League.

While the ECB has yet to officially confirm the teams that will contest the new competition, it has dropped a significant clue by announcing the venues that will stage matches from 2020-2024.

London venues Lord's and The Oval, Old Trafford (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Trent Bridge (Nottingham), Sophia Gardens (Cardiff) and the Ageas Bowl (Southampton) have all been selected as host grounds.

The ECB said of the chosen venues: "Together, they provide a strong geographical spread, high capacity for attendance, quality experience and access for the widest audience."

Source: OPTA