After nearly a decade in cold storage, the Champions League T20 is poised for a high-profile return, with the ICC officially approving the revival of the global franchise tournament at its annual conference in Singapore. Should everything proceed according to plan, the event could take place as early as September 2026. It could be a huge news for T20 fans, as they can finally see some of the world’s best franchises go head-to-head.
The tournament is expected to carry a new name, World Clubs Championship (WCC). It will bring together the winners of top domestic T20 leagues from around the world, rekindling the format that once gave fans cross-league clashes featuring the best of the best. However, while the approval marks a major step forward, the biggest talking point now surrounds the potential participation of IPL and PSL teams.
IPL vs PSL? Still unclear
Although the Champions League’s revival has received support from major boards, including the BCCI and ECB, the Sydney Morning Herald’s report, which first broke the ICC green light, did not confirm whether teams from the IPL or PSL would be part of the first edition.
Over the past month, there have been mixed signals. During the World Cricket Connects summit in London, discussions took place between CEOs of leagues like the BBL, SA20, ILT20, CPL, The Hundred, and others. Notably, no representatives from the PCB or PSL attended the meeting. It certainly raised doubts about India and Pakistan’s involvement. Sources have also claimed that no IPL franchise has been confirmed for the event so far, despite BCCI’s support for the idea.
However, nothing is definitive, and the ICC’s support implies that top leagues can still join as scheduling and commercial discussions advance. In September 2026, India have white-ball series lined up against Afghanistan and the West Indies. Hence, a slight shift in the FTP could make space for the Champions League T20, so that all major players become available.
List of Champions League T20 winners
| Year | Host | Winners | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | India | New South Wales Blues | Trinidad and Tobago |
| 2010 | South Africa | Chennai Super Kings | Warriors |
| 2011 | India | Mumbai Indians | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| 2012 | South Africa | Sydney Sixers | Lions |
| 2013 | India | Mumbai Indians | Rajasthan Royals |
| 2014 | India | Chennai Super Kings | Kolkata Knight Riders |
The original CLT20 ran from 2009 to 2014, featuring star-studded squads from the IPL, BBL, and South African T20 leagues. Despite the pedigree, the tournament struggled with TV ratings and was discontinued. But the T20 ecosystem has transformed since then. Leagues like SA20, ILT20, and Major League Cricket (MLC) have matured, and the fan appetite for global franchise clashes has never been greater.
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