🌍 A Global Comeback: The World Club Championship Returns in 2026

🌍 A Global Comeback: The World Club Championship Returns in 2026

Cricket fans, get ready! The beloved Champions League T20 is making a comeback with a modern twist. Relaunched as the World Club Championship, the tournament is slated to return in 2026 .

What’s Changing from the Old Format

Formerly CLT20, the revamped competition will invite winners from top T20 leagues worldwide such as the IPL, The Hundred, BBL, SA20, PSL, and MLC to duke it out for global club supremacy . This aligns with a broader vision to imitate club competitions seen in football and rugby, amplifying franchise cricket’s international reach .

Institutional Backing

The revival isn’t just talk: the ICC, BCCI, and ECB have thrown their weight behind the idea. ICC chairman Jay Shah has reportedly signed off on a schedule start as early as 2026 . ECB chief executive Richard Gould backs the plan too calling it the "next logical step" and confirming that the tournament is “on the cards” and will include both men's and women's formats .

Why Now?

Launched in 2009, CLT20 folded by 2014 largely due to poor viewership and limited commercial traction . But the time is ripe now: franchise T20 leagues have flourished globally, providing a rich pool of champions and fan bases eager for high-profile crossover competition .

What’s Next?

Official dates, format details, and qualified leagues are still to be finalized. One early indicator is that ECB may prioritize The Hundred’s champions over the T20 Blast winners . Meanwhile, stakeholder calendars especially involving the IPL will be crucial before any formal announcement .

Cricket’s franchise revolution continues and in 2026, fans might witness the crowning of a true World Club Champion.