GT20 Cricket Tournament action starts this week with stars from around the world in Brampton

Some of the biggest names in cricket are gearing up for weeks of world-class competition as the Global T20 Cricket Tournament is set to return to Brampton this week.

Back for its fourth year, the GT20 tournament kicks off on Thursday with some of the sport’s biggest stars from around the world battling it out at Brampton’s CAA Centre for the title of tournament champs.

The six-team competition includes the Brampton Wolves and defending champions the Montreal Tigers, along with the Bangla Tigers Mississauga, Vancouver Knights, Surrey Jaguars and Toronto Nationals.

While not wearing the jersey of his hometown, captain of Canada’s national team and Brampton’s own Saad Bin Zafar will compete in the tournament. Zafar will suit up with Toronto Nationals along with Team Canada teammates Nicholas Kirton and Nikhil Dutta, fresh off leading Canada’s national cricket team to their first-ever berth and win at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Organizers are promising action-packed play again this year when the tournament opens on Thursday with a match between the Toronto Nationals and the Vancouver Knights.

The Brampton Wolves will have their first match of the tournament on Friday against the returning champions, the Montreal Tigers.

Tickets can be purchased for individual games starting at $5 for general admission and $20 for VIP seats. There are also season passes available ranging from $115 to $650.

Last year’s GT20 tournament was broadcast in 133 countries with an audience of over 180 million – more than the 2023 Super Bowl’s 115.1 million watchers. Organizers say the tournament brought more than $30 million in value for the city in 2023, $34 million for the province, and $43 million for Canada.

The fourth GT20 Cricket Tournament starts on Thursday and runs until Aug. 11 at the CAA Centre in Brampton. For more details or to purchase tickets visit www.gt20.ca.