The global T20 cricket scene is on the cusp of a transforming event as the World Club Championship is slated to return in 2026. It prepares the stage for an exciting fight between the champion teams from the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL) even after a few league switching, and other prominent franchise leagues across the globe.
Title-winning teams from the IPL, PSL, Big Bash League (BBL), SA20, and The Hundred will be on display in the resurfacing of the former Champions League T20 (CLT20), last hosted in 2015. Organizers hope this rejuvenated event will become the premier international venue for franchise cricket, showcasing top-tier talent in high-stakes confrontations.
Unlike its predecessor, which struggled with viewers and was eclipsed by the Indian Premier League (IPL) dominance, the 2026 edition aims for more geographic representation, greater corporate backing, and increased international appeal. Prominent cricketing bodies like the BCCI and ECB have publicly backed this idea, thus increasing support for the tournament. The change has been accepted and supported by ICC Chairman Jay Shah.
There have been possible hints towards the further development of the idea by ECB CEO Richard Gould, noting that a women’s edition of the World Club Championship is also in talks. There was further clarification from Gould’s side that England will now send the champion of The Hundred rather than the Vitality Blast to represent the nation.
Teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings grew to prominence in the Champions League T20, which ran from 2009 to 2015. However, the cricketing scene has changed dramatically since then with the rise of new leagues, including Major League Cricket in the U. S. and the Global T20 Super League in Guyana, helping to create a truly worldwide club tournament vision.
The revamped World Club Championship aspires to become cricket’s equivalent to football’s UEFA Champions League, a tournament where only champions compete.
