The much-awaited return of Champions League T20 is finally on the cards. 

 

According to reports, during its annual conference held in Singapore, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially approved the revival of the global franchise tournament, now rebranded as the World Clubs Championship. The tournament is expected to take place in September 2026.

 

The event aims to bring together champion teams from the world’s top T20 leagues, potentially including franchises from the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL). However, the participation of these teams is yet to be confirmed, as several commercial and scheduling matters remain unresolved.

 

Unlike the previous edition of the Champions League T20, which was discontinued due to low ratings and financial losses, the new version promises renewed global interest and stronger commercial potential.

 

According to reports, both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have shown support for the idea. Still, no confirmation has been made regarding the inclusion of IPL or PSL teams. 

 

Notably, no representative from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) or PSL attended the World Cricket Connects meeting held in London, which was attended by heads of various leagues including the Bangladesh Premier League, SA20, ILT20, Caribbean Premier League, and The Hundred.

 

The ICC’s approval signals that major teams could be part of the tournament once commercial and scheduling issues are ironed out. India is currently scheduled to play white-ball series against Afghanistan and the West Indies in 2026, but minor adjustments could create room for the World Clubs Championship.

 

The original Champions League T20 was held from 2009 to 2014. The past winners included New South Wales (2009), Chennai Super Kings (2010 and 2014), Mumbai Indians (2011 and 2013), and Sydney Sixers (2012). The tournament was discontinued after getting poor TV ratings and financial setbacks.