The format, in which team batted and bowled for 20 overs with a 15-minute break between innings, was decided upon, and the ECB then began marketing the concept with special offers and newspaper adverts.
[4] The 18 first-class counties were split into three regional groups of six teams, which were retained from the Benson & Hedges Cup.
In a break from tradition, the finals were not held at Lord's – who had their application for a concert licence turned down by Westminster City Council.
[3] All standard laws of the game as laid down by the Marylebone Cricket Club applied with the following significant differences:[5] Sky Sports broadcast eight group matches and the entirety of Finals Day live.
[4] The inaugural Twenty20 match was contested between Hampshire Hawks and Sussex Sharks at The Rose Bowl on 13 June 2003.
Hampshire "came out of the blocks firing", according to Cricinfo's Vic Isaacs, scoring 66 runs in the opening 7 overs.