Royal Premier League Season 5, 2026
Downpatrick Cricket Club is proud to announce that it will once again host the Royal Challengers Belfast 's annual cricket tournament Royal Premier League (RPL) Season 5, welcoming teams from across Ireland and the United Kingdom for one of the region's popular T20 cricket tournaments.
Taking place on 5, 6, 12 and 13 September 2026, this year's competition marks a significant milestone as Downpatrick Cricket Club hosts the Royal Premier League for the fifth consecutive season. Since its inception, the tournament has grown into a highly anticipated event, bringing together talented cricketers, enthusiastic supporters and local communities in a celebration of competitive cricket. The annual tournament gets the support from Northern Cricket Union and its registered umpires overseeing the proceedings .
Organised by Royal Challengers Belfast, the Royal Premier League has established itself as one of the most exciting community T20 tournaments across Ireland and the UK, combining professional organisation with a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
This year's tournament introduces an exciting new player draft system, allowing each participating team to recruit a maximum of three Premier League-level players from a registered player pool. The initiative is designed to ensure a balanced and competitive tournament while creating opportunities for emerging players to compete alongside some of the region's finest talent.
The tournament will feature:
Teams from across Ireland and the United Kingdom
Competitive T20 cricket over four match days
A £1,000 cash prize for the champions
Rolling trophies and additional awards
Professional match organisation and umpiring
A family-friendly festival of cricket
A spokesperson for Downpatrick Cricket Club said:
"We are delighted to welcome the RCB's Royal Premier League back to Downpatrick for its fifth season. The tournament has become a major fixture on our cricket calendar, attracting outstanding talent from across Ireland and the UK while showcasing our club and community. We look forward to welcoming players, supporters and families for another fantastic celebration of cricket this September."
The Royal Premier League has continued to grow each year thanks to the dedication of organisers, volunteers, sponsors and participating clubs. The tournament not only promotes competitive cricket but also strengthens friendships and sporting connections across both Ireland and the United Kingdom.
With limited team places available, registrations are now officially open.
Tournament Details
Venue: Downpatrick Cricket Club, BT30 6SL
Dates: 5, 6, 12 & 13 September 2026
Entry Fee: £200 per team
Champions Prize: £1,000
Format: T20 Cricket
The organisers RCB's Ravi Ningegowda, Dr. Darshan Kumar and Dr. Raghuram Satya extend their sincere thanks to Downpatrick Cricket Club, sponsors, volunteers, officials, players and supporters whose continued commitment has helped make the Royal Premier League one of the UK's and Ireland's leading community cricket tournaments.
For further information and team registration, visit:
www.tinyurl.com/RPL-2026
