Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey

European cricket is staring at a major crisis as the European Cricket Network (ECN) is set to lose its biggest financial backer, Dream11. ECN has played an instrumental role in driving the sport’s growth across the continent since 2019.

The blow comes after India passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, which bans all money-based online games. Dream11, India’s largest fantasy sports platform and ECN’s key sponsor, is expected to withdraw once the law is signed by President Droupadi Murmu, likely within weeks.

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The ECN, founded by Australian Daniel Weston and backed by the International Cricket Council, has been a lifeline for cricket in Associate nations. It has staged more than 7,200 T10 matches across 55 cities in 26 European countries, featuring 800 teams and 10,500 players. The network has also paid around £4 million to cricket boards since its inception, giving vital exposure and revenue to emerging markets.

Weston called the funding loss devastating. “Cricket in Europe risks being pushed back 20 years. Our vision to make it the top bat-and-ball sport now feels shattered,” he said, as quoted by the BBC. 

“Fantasy sports have provided unmatched financial support to help grow cricket, especially in Associate nations, creating opportunities for both men and women.

“It is a very sad moment for cricketers, cricket fans, and the children of cricketers all over the world, who will now likely not grow up in a world that is developing cricket outside of the big three.”

Without Dream11, the ECN admits survival will be tough. It hopes to complete its 2025 events but warns that without a major sponsor, scaling back is inevitable. Dream11 has not commented on its exit.