By Rohit - Jul 23, 2025 04:08 PM
In a major development for global T20 cricket, the Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) is set to make a comeback nearly a decade after it was discontinued. According to reports by Cricbuzz, members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) have agreed in principle to revive the tournament, with a potential launch as early as next year.
Originally launched in 2009, CLT20 brought together the top domestic T20 teams from across the cricketing world. It was officially discontinued in 2015 due to lack of sustained commercial success and scheduling conflicts. But now, with the explosive growth of franchise cricket globally, officials believe the time is right to reintroduce the league, and possibly make it bigger than ever.
The Champions League Twenty20, often abbreviated as CLT20, was a yearly international T20 tournament that featured the best-performing franchise teams from domestic leagues across major cricketing nations. Jointly administered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Cricket Australia (CA), and Cricket South Africa (CSA), the league was designed to mirror the UEFA Champions League in football, showcasing high-quality cricket among champions of national T20 competitions.
Teams like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Sydney Sixers, Trinidad & Tobago, and others have graced the league in the past, offering fans a thrilling mix of global T20 talent.
The decision to revive CLT20 after nearly a decade is rooted in several major shifts in the cricketing ecosystem:
Back in 2015, only a few franchise leagues like the IPL, Big Bash League (BBL), and Caribbean Premier League (CPL) were prominent. Fast forward to 2025, and there are now over a dozen T20 leagues worldwide, including:
This growth has created an incredibly competitive T20 ecosystem and a larger pool of world-class domestic teams ready to battle on an international stage.
The global popularity of franchise cricket has also sparked renewed commercial interest from broadcasters, advertisers, and sponsors. Stakeholders see the CLT20 revival as an opportunity to generate new revenue streams through broadcasting rights and global branding, particularly with teams that already have fan bases across countries.
Fans have long expressed interest in watching their favorite domestic teams take on top clubs from other countries. The success of IPL teams and the increased visibility of international domestic stars have made cross-border club competition more appealing than ever.
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While the decision to revive CLT20 has been made in principle, several logistical and structural challenges remain before its execution.
One of the most pressing concerns is the overlap of franchise ownerships across leagues. For example, the owners of Mumbai Indians also have teams in SA20 (MI Cape Town), ILT20 (MI Emirates), and Major League Cricket (MI New York). Having teams with common ownerships across different countries could lead to conflicts of interest, especially if more than one MI-owned team qualifies.
Another challenge is determining the structure, format, and size of the competition. Will it be a 6-team tournament like the early editions, or will it expand to accommodate 8–12 teams? With the international cricket calendar already jam-packed, finding a suitable window will be a critical decision. The ICC, BCCI, and other boards will need to collaborate carefully to avoid clashing with major series or domestic league schedules.
As per Cricbuzz, a Governing Council or Oversight Board will likely be formed, much like the one that ran the tournament in its earlier avatar. This body will oversee team selections, logistics, player availability, and scheduling. Expect major cricketing boards like BCCI, Cricket Australia, and Cricket South Africa to take the lead in forming this council.
The Champions League T20 was inaugurated in 2009 and held annually until 2014. It featured domestic T20 champions from countries including India, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, and Sri Lanka.
Notable winners included:
Despite some memorable moments, viewer interest declined post-2013, and the tournament faced stiff competition from the IPL. Eventually, Star Sports, the official broadcaster, proposed its shutdown in 2015 and offered a compensation package to the BCCI, CA, and CSA.
While nothing is official yet, it is expected that top-performing teams from the IPL, BBL, SA20, CPL, ILT20, and other major leagues will participate. The inclusion of English county teams, previously absent from the league, is also on the table, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) showing interest this time.
A potential list of participating teams could include:
The revival of the Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) is a landmark moment in the modern T20 era. It promises not just nostalgia but a fresh start in a completely transformed landscape of global cricket. With greater commercial backing, deeper talent pools, and fan enthusiasm at an all-time high, this upcoming edition could finally help CLT20 fulfill its original vision, becoming the premier global club cricket tournament.
Whether you’re an IPL diehard, a BBL enthusiast, or a fan of rising leagues like SA20 and ILT20, the new CLT20 will be the place to see them all collide.
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