Cricket
Hyderabad Cricket Association notifies EOI process for TG20 franchise ownership
The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) on Saturday announced the launch of the Expression of Interest (EOI) process for franchise ownership in TG20, its premier T20 cricket league set to debut in June 2026.
The EOI marks the formal beginning of the franchise acquisition process for what is envisioned as a flagship sporting property of Telangana.
TG20 is a franchise-based T20 league established by the HCA to create a high-performance platform for emerging cricket talent across Telangana. The tournament will be conducted under the aegis of HCA and hosted at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad. Matches will be played in accordance with BCCI regulations and broadcast across multiple platforms to ensure wide reach and engagement, says a release issued by HCA CEO Imtiaz Khan.
“The launch of TG20 represents a defining moment for cricket in Telangana. Our vision is to create a world-class league that nurtures local talent, builds strong regional identities, and engages fans across the state. We invite credible and visionary partners to be part of this journey and contribute to building a premier sporting platform of national significance,” said V Agam Rao, chairman, Governing Council, TG20.
Eight franchise teams in inaugural season
The inaugural season will feature eight franchise teams representing regions across Telangana and will consist of 32 matches in a high-intensity format. There will be two matches played per day across a 21-day window.
The tournament will be conducted under the aegis of HCA and hosted at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad
Proposed franchise regions are: Adilabad, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahabubnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Ranga Reddy, and Warangal. Final allocation of eight teams will be determined through the bidding process.
“The rights to own and operate a TG20 franchise will be awarded through a transparent and competitive bidding process. The franchise term will be five (5) years, including the inaugural season, and thereafter renewable every three (3) years subject to compliance with league regulations and commercial terms. The minimum bid amount for acquiring franchise rights to own a team shall be ₹3 crore (Rupees Three crore only), exclusive of applicable GST,” says the release.
“This franchise fee does not include team expenses related to player and staff salaries, player accommodation and catering, team jerseys etc. The successful bidder (Franchise Owner) shall be required to pay the bid amount annually, on or before the date set by the TG20 Governing Council each year,” it added.
Last date for EOI submission is April 28
The last date for EOI submission is April 28, 2026, and the shortlisting notification is by April 30, 2026. The RFP issuance to qualified parties will be done by May 1, 2026.
The EOI document can be obtained upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Rs 1,18,000 (inclusive of GST). Requests must be submitted via email with payment proof to the TG20 Governing Council, says the HCA release.
Interested parties (single entity or JV/consortium) must meet the following conditions:
Minimum annual turnover of Rs 100 crore (single entity) or Rs 50 crore per entity (JV/consortium) over the last two financial years.
Positive Profit After Tax (PAT) for FY 2023–24 and 2024–25 and at least one entity must have a registered office in Telangana.
No criminal convictions, blacklisting, or conflicts of interest as per HCA regulations
All applications will undergo a detailed evaluation by the TG20 Governing Council in consultation with Grant Thornton Bharat LLP, the authorized advisory agency. Only shortlisted applicants will proceed to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage.
“Issuance of the EOI does not constitute an offer or guarantee of franchise rights. Participation in the bidding process is subject to meeting eligibility criteria and compliance requirements as determined by the TG20 Governing Council,” says the HCA release.