Budapest Cup 2025/26

The **ECN Budapest Cup** is a Twenty20 International cricket tournament established as a distinct entity from the longer-standing Central Europe Cup. Organised by the European Cricket Network in partnership with the Hungarian Cricket Federation, the competition launched in July 2025 at the GB Oval in Sződliget, Hungary. It serves a specific niche in Central Europe by grouping national teams from Austria, Hungary, Luxembourg, and Romania.

The tournament format employs a round-robin league stage followed by placement matches, including a third-place playoff and a final. This structure was utilised in the inaugural 2025 edition, which featured four participating nations. Austria emerged as the winners after securing victories in all three of their league matches. The final contest against Romania was abandoned due to rain, resulting in no result, but Austria was declared champion based on superior league performance. Hungary secured third place by defeating Luxembourg in the associated playoff match.

The Budapest Cup differentiates itself from the Central Europe Cup, founded in 2014 and organised by the Czech Cricket Union, through its specific participant grouping and host nation. While the earlier competition involves nations such as Poland and Switzerland and is hosted in the Czech Republic, the Budapest Cup focuses exclusively on the quartet of Austria, Hungary, Luxembourg, and Romania. The event aims to promote cricket in the region by providing T20I status matches for these emerging nations. The tournament represents a recent addition to the international cricket calendar, offering a platform for development in Central Europe that contrasts with the historical footprint of its regional counterpart.