The Champions League T20 is poised to return in September 2026, with growing support from major cricketing nations.
However, the tournament’s comeback could coincide with a significant shift away from Test cricket, as the ICC considers reducing the number of teams playing the longest format.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the ICC’s annual conference in Singapore has seen widespread backing for the relaunch of the now-defunct T20 competition, which originally ran from 2008 to 2014. The revived event could be renamed the World Club Championship and feature title-winning sides from the IPL, BBL, PSL, SA20, The Hundred, and other top T20 leagues.
The tournament was discontinued after ESPN Star withdrew financial support in 2014. But with the explosive growth of franchise cricket worldwide, the commercial environment is now seen as ripe for its return. Cricket boards, including the BCCI and ECB, have expressed interest in reviving the concept under ICC oversight.
However, the relaunch will come with logistical hurdles. One of the key challenges is player eligibility, as top T20 stars now compete in multiple leagues across different countries. Determining which franchise a player would represent has become increasingly complex, with some involved in as many as four or five competitions annually.
Financial structuring and scheduling also remain unresolved, although discussions are reportedly progressing. A parallel idea of a globally hosted T20 circuit, potentially backed by Saudi Arabian investment, is also under consideration. Saudi Arabia is being seen as a possible host for future editions of the Champions League.
While the revival of T20’s glitzy global competition gains momentum, Test cricket may face a setback. The same ICC meetings are reportedly evaluating a cap on the number of Test-playing nations. A working group led by ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta and BCCI secretary Jay Shah is expected to present recommendations by the end of the year.
Speaking last year at Lord’s during an MCC panel, Gupta hinted at a strategic shift, saying: “You have to make hard choices. If you continue to serve a product that no one wants, the ecosystem around the product will continue to suffer. Blackberry disappeared at some point… it was replaced by another product.”