KARACHI – The long-awaited revival of the Champions League T20 is now on the cards, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally approved the return of a global franchise tournament after a decade.
The decision was made during the ICC’s annual conference held in Singapore, paving the way for a major international T20 event likely to be held in September 2026.
Teams from major leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) may compete as early as September next year, although final decisions on participation and scheduling are still pending.
Rebranded as the World Clubs Championship, the tournament will invite the champion teams of the world’s top T20 leagues. Unlike its earlier version, which ran from 2009 to 2014, the new format is expected to attract significant global interest and offer stronger commercial potential.
According to reports, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have endorsed the idea, the participation of IPL and PSL teams is not yet confirmed.
A recent World Cricket Connects meeting in London witnessed the attendance of heads of major leagues including the Bangladesh Premier League, South Africa’s T20 league, ILT20, Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and The Hundred.
However, no representatives from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) or PSL were present, and no conclusive decision was made regarding the IPL’s involvement.
Despite the uncertainty, the ICC’s formal approval shows that top-tier teams could join the competition once scheduling and commercial matters are resolved.
India’s 2026 international calendar includes white-ball series against Afghanistan and the West Indies but minor adjustments could allow space for the World Clubs Championship.
The original Champions League T20, which ran from 2009 to 2014, was discontinued due to poor ratings and financial losses for the broadcasters.
The previous winners of the tournament included New South Wales (2009), Chennai Super Kings (2010 and 2014), Mumbai Indians (2011 and 2013) and Sydney Sixers (2012).
