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After years of longing, the idea of a true inter-league showdown is finally materializing. The World Club Championship, a supercharged successor to the long-lost Champions League T20 (CLT20), is reportedly all set to make its grand return in 2026.
Yes, itโs happening. And it might just change the landscape of franchise cricket forever.
A Global T20 Carnival
According to The Cricketer, the new tournament will bring together champion teams from major T20 leagues across the cricketing globe. Imagine a stage where the best of the IPL face off against PSL powerhouses, Big Bash beasts, SA20 champions, and top guns from The Hundred. Itโs the crossover fans have been dreaming of โ and itโs finally taking shape.
Unlike its predecessor, which fizzled out in 2015, this modern reboot is designed to be bigger, better, and way more inclusive.
Backing from the Big Boys
Whatโs different this time? Well, for starters, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is on board โ and thatโs a game-changer. Add to that support from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and ICC Chairman Jay Shah, and you have a recipe for serious cricketing firepower.
In fact, the ECB has already proposed sending the champion team from The Hundred, not the Vitality Blast. Thatโs a signal of intent โ this isnโt just a vanity project; itโs a vision for the future.
โWithout a doubt, at some point, there will be a World Club Championship for both men and women. That’s the next logical step,โ said ECB CEO Richard Gould.
Lessons from the Past
Launched in 2009, the original CLT20 had promise but struggled with poor ratings, uneven competition, and lack of balanced representation, thanks in part to IPL dominance.
Teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings ruled the roost, but the tournament never quite captured the imagination like the IPL or World Cups do.
Fast-forward to 2026, and the cricketing world looks very different.
- The PSL is thriving.
- The BBL remains a key player.
- New tournaments like SA20 and The Hundred are building unique identities.
- Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA is pulling in overseas stars.
- Even Guyanaโs Global T20 Super League is drawing serious attention with teams from Pakistan, Bangladesh, England, Australia, and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
In short, T20 leagues are no longer sideshows โ they are the show.
The UEFA Champions League of Cricket?
The World Club Championship is being touted as cricketโs answer to footballโs UEFA Champions League โ and rightly so.
Itโs no longer just about bilateral series or national rivalries. Franchise cricket has created fierce loyalties, iconic match-ups, and global audiences.
Fans in Karachi cheer for Lahore Qalandars, Aussies back the Perth Scorchers, and Indians bleed blue for Mumbai Indians. Now, imagine all these champions colliding on one stage.
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