Champions League T20 set to return in 2026 — Here's how IPL, BBL and PSL teams can qualify

The Champions League T20 (CLT20) is set to return in 2026, more than a decade after the tournament was discontinued in 2014. Often compared to football's UEFA Champions League, the competition brought together the best T20 franchise teams from around the world to battle for global glory.

First launched in 2009 by the BCCI, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa, the CLT20 featured top teams from India, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, the West Indies and other major cricketing nations. However, the tournament was discontinued after the 2014 edition due to falling television ratings and commercial challenges.

Now, with franchise cricket more popular than ever, the tournament is expected to make a comeback. If the league returns, teams will have to qualify through their performances in domestic competitions rather than receiving direct invitations.

In this article, we look at how IPL, BBL, PSL and other franchise teams could qualify for the Champions League T20 if the tournament returns in 2026.

What's changed? Inside the revamped CLT20 format and possible rebrand to 'World Club Championship'

If the Champions League T20 returns in 2026, it may do so under a new identity. According to several cricket pundits and media reports, the tournament could be rebranded as the World Club Championship. The proposed name reflects the competition's global nature and its aim of bringing together the best franchise teams from the world's leading T20 leagues.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, several influential cricket boards have backed the idea of reviving the Champions League T20 during the ICC's ongoing meetings in Singapore. The original tournament was discontinued in 2014 after struggling financially, particularly following the withdrawal of major broadcaster ESPN Star. However, the explosive growth of franchise cricket over the past decade has made a revival far more commercially viable.

See also -Champions League T20 To return in 2026 after previous edition's success: Know all about it

The new version of the tournament is also expected to feature several structural changes. Reports suggest there could be a more balanced distribution of teams across leagues, improved scheduling to avoid clashes with international cricket, and a stronger commercial model built around shared broadcasting and sponsorship agreements between participating boards.

One of the biggest challenges will be player eligibility. With many cricketers now contracted to multiple franchises across different leagues, organisers may introduce rules such as a "primary league affiliation" system or require players to represent the franchise with which they have the longest contract. 

There is also a possibility that if two teams owned by the same franchise group qualify, only one may be allowed to participate. While players could be given the freedom to choose which team they represent, such a system could lead to contractual disputes, making player regulations one of the key issues that must be resolved before the tournament's return.

IPL, BBL, SA20, CPL & PSL: How each league's champions qualify for CLT20 2026

The proposed return of the Champions League T20 in 2026 is expected to bring together the world's top franchise teams in a single global competition. While the tournament's final structure is yet to be officially confirmed, reports suggest that qualification will be based primarily on performances in domestic T20 leagues rather than invitations or franchise valuations.

For the revived edition, tournament organisers are likely to allocate spots according to the strength, popularity and commercial value of participating leagues. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is expected to receive the highest number of berths, while other major competitions such as the Big Bash League (BBL), SA20, Pakistan Super League (PSL), The Hundred and Caribbean Premier League (CPL) are also expected to be represented.

See also -World Club Championship 2026: Full list of participating countries

Leagues from emerging T20 markets, including the UAE's ILT20 and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), could also be given a pathway into the tournament through a qualifying playoff. This would help create a truly global competition featuring champion franchises from multiple cricketing nations.

Although the official list of participating teams has not yet been announced, qualification is expected to reward the best-performing teams from each domestic league. If the proposed format is approved, clubs such as Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Sydney Sixers, Lahore Qalandars, MI Cape Town and Oval Invincibles could all be in contention for a place in the tournament.

If implemented, this qualification system would ensure that the Champions League T20 remains a merit-based tournament, with teams earning their places through on-field success rather than direct invitations. The format would also guarantee representation from the world's strongest T20 leagues while maintaining a pathway for emerging competitions to join cricket's biggest franchise event.

Could your favourite team make it? Contenders and qualification scenarios to watch