ICC Set to Relaunch Champions League T20 as “World Club Championship” in September 2026

🏏 ICC Backs Champions League T20 Relaunch as “World Club Championship” for September 2026

Cricket might just get its very own FIFA-style Club World Cup.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly set to revive the long-defunct Champions League T20 under a new name — the “World Club Championship” — with a tentative launch date of September 2026.

Multiple reports from the ICC’s annual conference in Singapore confirm that the proposal has received strong backing from key member nations, signaling serious intent to bring back global T20 club competition.

🌍 From Champions League T20 to a Global Club Showdown

Originally held between 2009 and 2014, the Champions League T20 was discontinued in 2015 due to poor viewership and financial losses. But with the explosive growth of T20 franchise leagues worldwide, the concept is being reimagined for the modern era.

The ICC’s goal: a truly global, franchise-based tournament — cricket’s answer to the UEFA Champions League or the FIFA Club World Cup.

📋 What We Know So Far

🏆 New Name: World Club Championship

Say goodbye to “Champions League T20” and hello to the World Club Championship — a name that positions the tournament as a global contest among elite T20 franchises.

🎟️ Participants

Franchise winners from top T20 leagues are expected to take part, including:

• IPL (Indian Premier League)
• BBL (Big Bash League)
• PSL (Pakistan Super League)
• SA20 (South Africa)
• The Hundred (ECB-backed; potentially replacing Vitality Blast)
• ILT20 (UAE)
• MLC (USA)
• Possibly others (CPL, LPL, Global T20 Canada)

That said, early speculation suggests IPL and PSL teams may not participate in the first edition, though discussions are ongoing.

🎮 Tournament Format

While the final format is TBD, early reports hint at:

• Group stage + knockouts
• 6–12 teams
• A 2–3 week window in September 2026

🧩 Challenges Ahead

The ICC faces a few major curveballs:

1. Player Availability:
   Players affiliated with multiple franchises could face tough decisions on who they represent.
2. Revenue Sharing:
   A clear model for distributing revenue between boards and franchises is yet to be finalized.
3. Scheduling Conflicts:
   The calendar is already packed. Fitting this in won’t be easy — unless other bilateral series are sacrificed.
4. Broadcast & Commercial Rights:
   With so many stakeholders, hammering out TV rights and sponsorship deals will be key.

💼 Why Now?

Industry insiders suggest the relaunch is being fast-tracked to:

• Capitalize on the booming franchise T20 economy
• Pre-empt rival global T20 ventures (such as a potential Saudi-backed league)
• Reclaim centrality for the ICC in a landscape increasingly dominated by domestic leagues

🗣️ Reactions So Far

“If done right, the World Club Championship could be cricket’s biggest annual event outside the World Cup.” — Global Cricket Analyst

“The idea has always had promise — but now the timing, infrastructure, and appetite might finally be right.” — Former CLT20 executive

If the ICC plays this right, September 2026 could mark the return of inter-league supremacy battles, with the world watching.