Champions League T20 Set for Revival After Decade-Long Absence

The Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) is making a comeback, promising an even bigger and better second iteration. During a recent meeting in Singapore, on the margins of the ICC Annual Conference, members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) formally decided to revive the tournament. The competition will feature franchises from domestic Twenty20 leagues across various nations, with a potential restart as early as next year.

Cricbuzz has learned that international boards will soon meet to iron out the details of the league. A primary challenge will be addressing the cross-ownership structure, as many franchise owners possess teams in multiple countries. Regulators are expected to form a Governing Council (GC) or Board to oversee the league, similar to the previous structure.

The last edition in the CLT20 took place in 2014 which was won by CSK © Getty

CSK celebrates their 2014 CLT20 victory.

Key Challenges Ahead

Determining the scale and scope of the league presents another significant hurdle. When the Champions League T20 was discontinued in 2015, franchise-based competitions were limited to a few major Test-playing nations. However, the T20 landscape has since undergone a dramatic transformation. Leagues have proliferated across the cricketing world, with even Associate nations like the USA and UAE hosting their own tournaments. Countries like Nepal and Canada have also joined the fray. Currently, there are approximately 11 major franchise leagues worldwide, including The Hundred in England.

Organizers face the challenge of identifying a suitable window in an already congested cricket calendar. They must also decide on the allocation of teams from different leagues. As in the past, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL) are expected to spearhead the venture. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which was not involved in the previous league, is also likely to participate actively, along with Cricket Australia (CA). The involvement of other boards remains unclear, although Cricket South Africa (CSA), one of the three founding members of CLT20, may be included in the structure.

History of the CLT20

Launched in 2009, the CLT20 was discontinued after the 2014 season. This decision came after its founding members – the BCCI, CA, and CSA – accepted a proposal from broadcaster Star Sports to shut down the league. Star Sports, facing substantial financial losses, offered a compensation package that the three boards accepted in 2015.

Thus, the revival will begin anew. The immediate priority for the new members will be to initiate a tender process to onboard a broadcaster.