ICC Revives Men’s T20 Champions League

SINGAPORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has resolved to bring back the men’s T20 Champions League, with the competition tentatively scheduled for September 2026, according to global news outlets.

The decision to reinstate the event, which had been discontinued, occurred during the ICC’s recent annual assemblies in Singapore.

Reportedly, the proposition garnered backing from several prominent ICC member nations, indicating substantial progress toward the re-establishment of the tournament, which was last contested in 2014.

Sources indicate that Saudi Arabia is expected to deliver monetary assistance for the reimagined league and is under consideration to potentially stage future iterations of the competition, underscoring its increasing dedication and expenditure in international sports.

A notable logistical hurdle that remains is determining the representation of club or franchise players, especially given the quick proliferation of domestic T20 leagues on a global scale.

As per the proposed regulations, players might be authorized to engage in a minimum of two and a maximum of five franchise leagues each year.

The T20 Champions League was initially established in 2008 through a cooperative effort among cricket boards representing India, Australia, and South Africa.

The competition persisted until 2014, but it was eventually halted after its commercial partner reportedly withdrew following considerable economic deficits.

Although the structural and economic blueprint of the revitalized league is still to be determined, dialogues are presently underway.

Notably, the league’s concluding edition showcased four teams from India, two each from South Africa and Australia, and one team each from Pakistan, New Zealand, and the West Indies. The tournament has been dormant since then.