Second Eleven Twenty20 (England) 2026/27

The Second Eleven Twenty20 serves as a developmental arena for reserve teams within the English cricket structure. Organized by the England and Wales Cricket Board, the tournament was established in 2011. It provides a specific Twenty20 format for the 2nd XIs of the 18 first-class county clubs. The competition sits below the senior professional tiers and does not qualify teams for the senior T20 Blast. Matches are classified purely as developmental fixtures rather than official List A or First-Class contests.

Participation is restricted to county reserve sides and historically the MCC Young Cricketers. Teams are split into regional divisions such as North, South, and Central during the league phase. This structure leads into a knockout stage that culminates in a final, often staged on a designated 'Finals Day.' There is no system of promotion or relegation, as entry is determined by the parent club's first-class status. A key distinction from the senior circuit is the prohibition of overseas players, allowing the focus to remain on academy prospects and fringe first-team talent.

Success in the competition has been shared among several clubs. Warwickshire 2nd XI, Glamorgan 2nd XI, Sussex 2nd XI, and Middlesex 2nd XI are recorded as the most successful entities, each having claimed the title twice. Warwickshire 2nd XI entered 2026 as the current holder after defeating Nottinghamshire 2nd XI in the previous year's final. The competition remains distinct from the One-Day Cup, formerly known as the Second XI Trophy. While that parallel tournament utilises a 50-over format, this tournament operates strictly within the 20-over framework.

Current Season: 2026