[1][2][3] When the Benson & Hedges Cup ended in 2002, the ECB sought another one-day competition to fill with the younger generation in response to dwindling crowds and reduced sponsorship.

The Board wanted to deliver fast-paced, exciting cricket accessible to fans who were put off by the longer versions of the game.

[4] Stuart Robertson, the marketing manager of the ECB, proposed a 20-over per innings game to county chairmen in 2001, and they voted 11–7 in favour of adopting the new format.

[5] The first Twenty20 Cup was held in 2003 and was marketed with the slogan "I don't like cricket, I love it" – a line from the cricket-themed pop song Dreadlock Holiday by 10cc.

The competition initially divided the eighteen counties into North and South groups, before reverting to the previous model of three divisions of six teams.

This period of Twenty20 cricket in England and Wales saw Leicestershire and Hampshire becoming the most successful sides, and in 2013 Northants won their first trophy for two decades.

The 18 first-class counties compete for the title, initially playing in two or three geographical divisions, the number varying across the years.

In 2018, matches were moved to be played in a block during July and August with the aim of attracting large crowds during the school summer holidays.