The long-absent Champions League T20 is set to make a comeback in 2026, returning as the Global T20 League under its new name, the World Club Championship T20.
Global Franchise Powerhouses Unite for World Club Championship 2026
The Franchise Champions League will feature top teams from major leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), Big Bash League (BBL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), SA20, and The Hundred in the Global League in 2026.
The World Club Championship proposal has received strong backing from ICC Chairman Jay Shah, the England Cricket Board (ECB), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The ECB has agreed to send teams from The Hundred, as the competition has traditional franchise backing from the owners to represent England in the 2026 tournament.
ECB CEO Richard Gould confirmed that plans for the Champions League successor are nearing finalization and also hinted at a potential CLT20 for women’s cricket soon, including teams from The Hundred, WPL, and WBBL.
“That is on the cards. Without a doubt, at some point, there will be a World Club Championship for both men and women. That's the next logical step,” Gould said.
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A Familiar Format Returns in a New Era of Global Streaming
The revamped tournament will follow a similar format, featuring 2–3 teams from leagues around the world. The tournament originally debuted in 2009 and ran for six years before wrapping up in 2015 due to low television ratings. In the era of OTT platforms, where cricket is attracting more global streaming interest, the tournament's return is expected to generate significant viewership and become a global hit.
Notably, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians were the most successful franchises in the tournament, winning the title twice each. CSK were the defending champions in 2014.
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