PSL, IPL winners set for epic clash as World Club Championship makes 2026 return

The World Club Championship — a global T20 tournament inspired by the long-discontinued Champions League T20 (CLT20) — is set to make a major comeback in 2026, according to The Cricketer.

The event will bring together the champion teams from the world's leading franchise leagues, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), Big Bash League (BBL), SA20, and The Hundred. The tournament is designed to offer fans thrilling cross-league matchups and crown the ultimate club champion in global T20 cricket.

Unlike the original CLT20, which ran from 2009 to 2015, the new version promises broader representation, higher stakes, and a larger global audience. Since the end of CLT20, the T20 landscape has grown significantly, with nearly every major cricketing country hosting its own successful franchise league.

Top cricket boards, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), are backing the return. ICC Chairman Jay Shah is also said to support the initiative. ECB CEO Richard Gould confirmed that plans are nearing finalisation and added that a women’s edition is also being considered.

“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,” Gould said.

Unlike the past, where the ECB sent teams from the Vitality Blast, the board is now planning to nominate the champion of The Hundred to represent England.

The previous Champions League T20 featured top domestic T20 teams from around the world but was discontinued in 2015 due to low viewership, lack of sponsorship, and IPL dominance — with Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings both winning the tournament twice.

However, the rise of new leagues such as Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA and the Global T20 Super League in Guyana has reignited interest in a global T20 club competition.

With growing fan interest, strong commercial potential, and star-studded teams, the revamped World Club Championship has the chance to become T20 cricket’s version of football’s UEFA Champions League — a true clash of champions on the world stage.