Champions League T20 Set to be Back as World Club Championship

In a major update for T20 cricket fans, the renowned cricket club tournament, The Champions League T20, is set to return. The popular tournament, which ended in 2014, is being revived under a new name. the World Club Championship.

It comes as big news for cricket lovers across the world as it can help the game grow further. Notably, the Champions League was a tournament that featured teams from various T20 leagues across the cricketing world. It provided a great spectacle in its initial years but had to be discontinued later due to financial constraints.

What is World Club Championship?

According to a report from The Cricketer, the World Club Championship is set to begin in 2026. The format will be similar to the old Champions League T20, where top teams from different T20 leagues around the world would take part. The new World Club Championship will feature the winners of major global T20 leagues. This includes:

• Indian Premier League (IPL)
• The Hundred (England)
• Big Bash League (BBL)
• Pakistan Super League (PSL)
• SA20 (South Africa)

The idea has strong backing as both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) support it. Reportedly, ICC chairman Jay Shah is on board with the tournament’s decision. Though full details are yet to be revealed, cricket fans are already excited to see their favourite team lock horns with other clubs. The number of teams and the final list of leagues are still not confirmed.

The Hundred vs T20 Blast

There is one interesting development from England. Reports suggest that the ECB wants the Hundred winners to take part instead of the Vitality T20 Blast champions. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo earlier, ECB CEO Richard Gould said, “That is on the cards. Without doubt, at some point, there will be a World Club Championship for both men and women. That’s the next logical step.”
This shows that the tournament might not just be for men. There is hope for a women’s version too in the future. It is to be noted that women's cricket has grown rapidly over the last few years and offers a great amount of revenue.

What Did the Champions League T20 Failed?

Notably, Champions League T20 was launched in 2009. It was played every year until 2014. The top T20 teams from India, Australia, South Africa, and a few other countries took part. However, the IPL teams dominated. Each year, three IPL teams played in the tournament.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) emerged as the most successful teams in the tournament, as they won the tournament twice.
However, despite the big names, the tournament struggled. The Champions League T20 failed to attract enough viewers. It also had trouble getting sponsors. Many fans were not interested in watching club teams from different countries compete. There was also a feeling that the IPL already had too much attention. In 2015, the organisers decided to shut down the tournament.

Why is 2026 a Good Time For a Comeback?

The T20 landscape has significantly changed in the past few years. Almost every major cricketing country has its own league. Tournaments like SA20 in South Africa, Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA, and Global T20 in Canada have grown in popularity. With so many strong teams around the world, a global tournament makes more sense now. Also, fans are more used to following T20 leagues outside their home country. This could help increase viewership.

Some are calling it cricket’s answer to football’s UEFA Champions League. A global T20 tournament with the best teams from each league will add excitement and international flavor to the calendar.

So far, no official format, dates, or host nation have been announced. But with support from top boards like the BCCI, ECB, and Cricket South Africa, things are moving fast. If everything goes to plan, the World Club Championship could launch in 2026 and become a regular part of the T20 calendar.