Champions League T20 Revival on the Cards After Decade-Long Absence

The Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) is poised to make a grand return, promising an even more expansive and thrilling second chapter. Following a recent meeting in Singapore during the ICC Annual Conference, members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) have formally agreed to resurrect the tournament, which showcases franchises from various domestic Twenty20 leagues across the globe. Optimistic projections suggest the league could be back in action as early as next year.

CSK celebrates their victory in the 2014 CLT20 final © Getty

Cricbuzz has learned that international cricket boards are set to meet shortly to iron out the details of the league, especially considering that numerous franchise owners have stakes in teams spanning multiple countries. Regulators will face the critical task of addressing this cross-team ownership structure. As before, a Governing Council (GC) or Board is expected to be established to oversee the league's operations.

A significant challenge for the regulators will be defining the league's scope and scale. When the Champions League T20 was discontinued in 2015, franchise-based competitions were limited to a few major Test-playing nations. Fast forward ten years, and the T20 landscape has undergone a seismic shift. Leagues have proliferated throughout the cricketing world, with even Associate nations like the USA and UAE hosting their own tournaments. Countries such as Nepal and Canada have also joined the fray. Currently, there are approximately 11 major franchise leagues worldwide, including The Hundred in England.

Securing a suitable window in an already congested cricket calendar will be another hurdle for organizers. They must also determine how teams from different leagues will be allocated. As in the past, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its highly successful Indian Premier League (IPL) are anticipated to take a leading role in the revived venture. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which was not involved in the previous league, is also expected to participate actively, as will Cricket Australia (CA). The involvement of other boards remains uncertain, although Cricket South Africa (CSA), one of the three founding members of CLT20, may be integrated into the structure.

The CLT20, which was inaugurated in 2009, was terminated after the 2014 season. This decision came after its founding members – the BCCI, CA, and CSA – accepted a proposal from broadcaster Star Sports to dissolve the league. Faced with substantial financial losses, Star Sports offered a compensation package, which the three boards accepted in 2015.

Thus, the revival will commence where it concluded. The new organizers will prioritize issuing a tender to bring a broadcaster on board.