The Champions League T20 could be back on the map. During the ICC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Singapore, the sport’s global governing body reportedly gave a green signal to the return of the Champions League T20 in September 2026.
According to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald, there was strong agreement among ICC members to bring back the global T20 event. The competition would allow top teams from different franchise leagues to play against each other, similar to football’s UEFA Champions League.
This comes at a time when T20 leagues are booming across the world. With successful tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL), Big Bash League (BBL), SA20, and others running smoothly, the ICC sees this as the right time to relaunch a global event for the best franchise teams.
Also read: Champions League T20 Set for Global Revival as ECB Pushes for World Club Championship
CLT20 Revival on the Cards as ICC Plans 2026 Relaunch
The tournament could be renamed to World Club Championship and will likely feature champion teams from different domestic T20 leagues. The idea is to have top clubs from leagues like the IPL, BBL, SA20, and more, compete on one stage. However, a recent PTI report mentioned that there will be no IPL and Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams.
This setup was also used in the old Champions League T20, which ran from 2009 to 2014. Now, with more established leagues and a bigger global fan base for T20 cricket, the tournament could attract much more attention than before.
Officials believe this event can give fans a chance to see exciting matchups that don’t usually happen like IPL teams taking on sides from Australia or South Africa. It could also help smaller leagues get more recognition.
However, as players play for multiple franchises, the challenge for the ICC will be to decide which cricketer represents which team.
A Quick Look at Champions League T20’s Past
The Champions League T20 started in 2009 and was played every year until 2014. It was meant to bring together the best T20 clubs from around the world. The tournament had backing from major cricket boards and broadcasters like ESPN Star. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) won the title twice.
Despite some memorable matches, the tournament failed to keep viewers interested over time. It was officially scrapped after 2014 due to low ratings and sponsorship losses
But now, with T20 cricket stronger than ever, the ICC feels it is the right time to try again. If all goes well, the Champions League T20 will return in September 2026 with a new look and more support.
Also read: “I Would Not Say No” - IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal Teases Champions League T20’s Return
