Scotland’s men’s cricket team will travel to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a new principal partner after Skyscanner stepped in with a last-minute sponsorship deal that has rescued the team’s preparations.
The Edinburgh-based travel search giant has agreed a multi-year partnership with Cricket Scotland that will see its logo feature prominently on the front of the national team’s playing shirts during the tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka next February.
The deal ends months of uncertainty for Scottish cricket’s governing body, which had struggled to secure commercial backing after qualifying for their second successive T20 World Cup.
How Scotland Secured Their Place
Scotland booked their spot in the 2026 tournament through the ICC’s regional qualifier in July 2025, finishing top of the Europe group ahead of Ireland, Netherlands and Italy.
The victory in Edinburgh marked a dramatic turnaround for a team that had failed to reach the Super 12 stage in 2024 and faced severe financial pressure after losing Sport Scotland funding following the 2022 racism scandal.
Captain Richie Berrington described the qualification as “the proudest moment of my career” after his side chased down 186 against Ireland in the final.
Why the Sponsorship Mattered So Much
Without a shirt sponsor, Cricket Scotland faced the real possibility of sending an under-prepared squad to the World Cup or even withdrawing entirely.
The governing body had already cut staff numbers by 20 per cent in 2024 and relies heavily on ICC distributions and commercial income that had dried up after the “Racism in Scottish Cricket” report.
Skyscanner’s intervention means the team can now fund a full warm-up tour to India in January 2026 and bring professional support staff that had previously been unaffordable.
A Perfectly Scottish Partnership
Skyscanner, founded in 2003 and still headquartered in Edinburgh with more than 600 local employees, has deep roots in Scottish tech and sport.
Chief Marketing Officer Elke Cooper said the company jumped at the chance to support the national team.
“We are incredibly proud to back Scotland at their second T20 World Cup,” Cooper told reporters at Tuesday’s launch event at Grange Cricket Club.
“This is about more than just logos on shirts. It’s about showing the world what Scotland can achieve when we punch above our weight.”
The partnership also includes backing for Scotland Women’s team and significant investment in grassroots cricket across the country.
What Happens Next for Scottish Cricket
The Skyscanner deal is understood to be worth mid-six figures annually and runs through the 2028 T20 World Cup cycle.
Cricket Scotland commercial director Gordon Arthur called it “transformational.”
“This partnership doesn’t just get us to India. It gives us stability to build something lasting,” Arthur said.
Scotland are drawn in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Oman and Papua New Guinea for the first round in Sri Lanka.
A top-two finish would see them advance to the Super 12 stage for the first time.
The team begins their World Cup campaign against Bangladesh on February 14 in Colombo.
For a small nation that only gained full ICC membership in 1994, reaching back-to-back T20 World Cups represents remarkable progress.
With Skyscanner’s backing, Scotland finally has the platform to show they belong among cricket’s emerging forces.
This partnership proves that sometimes the most meaningful support comes from home. When Scottish cricket needed it most, one of its own global success stories answered the call.
What do you think Scotland can achieve in India and Sri Lanka? Drop your predictions below and let’s get #SkyBlueArmy trending across Scottish cricket.
