Virat Kohli's RCB In, Babar Azam's Peshawar Zalmi Out!! Champions League T20 formula conceived

The Champions League T20 (CLT20), which last took place over a decade ago, is on track to make a bigger and better return. As per the latest reports, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is involved in discussions and is set to make key decisions regarding the tournament’s revival shortly.

The Champions League T20 was launched in 2008, with the first edition taking place in 2009. It was backed by the BCCI, Cricket Australia, and Cricket South Africa, inspired by the format of football’s UEFA Champions League. However, the global tournament was discontinued in 2014 due to financial losses.

ICC Confirms Champions League T20 Revival, Set for a Bigger Return in 2026

According to Cricbuzz, the International Cricket Council has decided to revive the Champions League T20. The decision was made during the ICC Annual Conference in Singapore. The tournament will once again bring together franchise teams from T20 leagues across various countries.

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Plans are now underway for member boards to meet and finalize the structure and logistics of the competition. One of the main challenges will be addressing the issue of cross-ownership, as several franchise owners have stakes in teams across different nations.

To oversee operations and ensure fair governance, the ICC is expected to establish a Governing Council or a similar regulatory body, as was done in the league's earlier version.

"Cricbuzz understands that the international boards will convene soon to work out the modalities of the league, particularly in view of the fact that many franchise owners have teams across multiple countries," the report read.

Champions League T20 Revival Faces Scale Challenge Amid Global T20 Boom

The revival has generated considerable excitement among fans, who are eager to see marquee clashes between top teams from leagues such as the IPL, BBL, and PSL. Organisers will have to determine the scale and format of the revived Champions League T20.

When the tournament was discontinued in 2014, franchise-based leagues were limited to a few Test-playing nations. However, the global T20 landscape has expanded rapidly over the last decade.

Today, there are around 11 major franchise leagues worldwide, including The Hundred in England. Even Associate nations like the USA and UAE have launched their tournaments, with countries like Nepal and Canada also joining the trend.

Finding a Slot and Finalising Teams Pose Challenges for Champions League T20 Revival

One of the biggest hurdles in bringing back the Champions League T20 will be finding a suitable window in an already packed international calendar. Organizers will also need to sort out how teams from various leagues will be selected.

The BCCI and its flagship IPL are expected to play a central role in the revived tournament, just as they did in the original version. Notably, the ECB, which did not participate in the earlier edition, is now likely to come on board alongside Cricket Australia.

While it's not yet confirmed who else will be involved, Cricket South Africa, which was a founding member of the original league, could also be brought back into the fold.

Earlier, the BCCI, CA, and CSA agreed to a shutdown proposed by Star Sports, the official broadcaster at the time. Star offered a compensation deal, which the boards accepted in 2015.

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