The World Club Championship, a bigger, bolder, and truly global version of the long-forgotten Champions League T20 (CLT20), is set to return in 2026. According to The Cricketer, the launch of the new World Cup Championship has been set for next year in 2026.
The rebooted tournament will bring together the champion teams from major T20 leagues around the world. Title-winning teams from the Indian Premier League (IPL), Big Bash League (BBL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), SA20, and even The Hundred battle it out to take part in the battle for ultimate supremacy—the World Club Championship.
Champions League T20 set to return with a global twist in 2026
The idea has got strong support from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and even ICC Chairman Jay Shah is on board. Interestingly, the ECB wants the winning team from The Hundred to take part in the newest version of the Champions League T20 instead of the usual Vitality Blast winner.
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ECB CEO Richard Gould has hinted that the launch of the World Club Championship is all but confirmed. Gould even suggested that a women’s version of this tournament could happen too. He stated, “That is on the cards. Without a doubt, at some point, there will be a World Club Championship for both men and women. That’s the next logical step.”
However, the new tournament will follow a similar format to the old Champions League T20, but with more excitement, bigger reach, and top teams from across the globe.
Why the Champions League T20 failed?
Meanwhile, the Champions League T20 was launched with high hopes back in 2009. It brought together top T20 teams from around the world. But by 2015, this tournament was shut down due to low TV viewership, weak sponsorship, and a lack of global balance.
The tournament was heavily dominated by the IPL, with up to three teams playing each year, while teams from other leagues had limited opportunities. Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians were the most successful teams in the CLT20, each winning two titles.
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But the cricket world has changed a lot since then. Now, almost every major cricketing country has its own franchise league, and fans are more engaged than ever. Notably, India, Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, the UAE, and England all have their own domestic franchise leagues.
Additionally, America also has the Major Cricket League (MLC). Last year, Guyana launched a new tournament called the Global Super League, bringing together teams from different T20 competitions around the world.
World Club Championship aims to unite Global T20 giants
The event featured five franchise teams: Guyana Amazon Warriors from the CPL, Rangpur Riders from the BPL, Lahore Qalandars from the PSL, Hampshire from England’s Vitality Blast, and Victoria from Australia’s Sheffield Shield.
That’s why the idea of a World Club Championship emerged. With stronger leagues, a wider global fan base, and better commercial backing, this new tournament could be like football’s UEFA Champions League.
If everything goes smoothly, the World Club Championship could become the biggest franchise competition in the sport, where top teams from around the world will be competing on one stage.
