By Manvindar Singh 
In a major development for global franchise cricket, the Champions League T20 (CLT20) is poised to make a powerful return more than a decade after its last edition. ICC members, who recently gathered at the Annual Conference in Singapore, have formally agreed to revive the tournament with plans to launch it as early as 2026.
Initially launched in 2009, CLT20 brought together top-performing domestic T20 franchises from across the world. The competition was shelved in 2015 due to dwindling interest and financial challenges. Now, with franchise leagues booming across continents, the time appears ripe for a reimagined edition of the prestigious event.
The global T20 landscape has evolved significantly since CLT20’s last season, which was won by the Chennai Super Kings in 2014. Back then, franchise-based leagues were primarily limited to India, Australia, and South Africa. Today, the cricketing calendar is packed with leagues in England, UAE, USA, Nepal, Canada, and more, reflecting the sport’s unprecedented globalisation.
However, this growth also poses new hurdles for the tournament’s revival. One of the primary challenges will be managing cross-ownership structures. Several major owners now operate multiple teams across different leagues. The ICC and the anticipated Governing Council will need to enforce regulations ensuring fair play and commercial balance.
Another pressing concern is identifying a suitable window in the congested international and domestic calendar. Coordinating schedules across 11 major franchise leagues and accommodating national commitments will require strategic planning.
It is expected that the BCCI, with its high-powered IPL machinery, will lead the efforts to resurrect the league. The ECB, which did not participate in the original editions, is now likely to join forces alongside Cricket Australia and possibly Cricket South Africa, one of the original CLT20 founders.
Before the ball is bowled, the biggest commercial decision lies in securing a broadcast partner. It was broadcaster Star Sports that previously proposed the league’s closure after incurring significant financial losses. Now, the new Governing Council must float fresh tenders to attract media partners aligned with the modern cricket market’s economics.
This reimagined Champions League T20 aims not just to celebrate elite-level franchise cricket but also to create a global platform that showcases inter-league rivalries, attracts top players, and unites fans across continents.
As preparations begin, the world awaits the official structure, team line-ups, and calendar announcements for what could become cricket’s biggest inter-league showdown yet.
Zainab Shafiq