Cricket fans, rejoice! The much-loved Champions League T20 (CLT20)—the tournament where MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) became champions twice—is all set for a comeback next year, but with a fresh twist. This time, it won’t just be a revival—it will be a reinvention.

According to reports by The Cricketer, the league will now be called “The World Club Championship” and will feature champion teams from top global T20 leagues—including the IPL, BBL, CPL, PSL, SA20, and The Hundred.

What Will Be New?

• New Name: Champions League T20 will now be called The World Club Championship

• Elite Participation: Only winning teams from leading T20 leagues across the globe will be eligible.

• Global Collaboration: Talks are underway between BCCI, ECB, and ICC Chairman Jay Shah to finalize details and secure the official green light.

• Target Launch: Expected to begin in 2026, although formal confirmation is awaited.

A Look Back at CLT20

Launched in 2009, the Champions League T20 was a global T20 competition aimed at pitting the best franchise teams from different countries against each other. However, it was discontinued in 2014 due to low TV ratings and sponsorship challenges.

Still, during its brief run, it delivered several memorable moments, especially for fans of Chennai Super Kings. Under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, CSK clinched the CLT20 title twice—in 2010 and 2014. Mumbai Indians matched this feat, winning in 2011 and 2013.

Why Now?

In the last decade, franchise T20 leagues have exploded globally, each carving out massive fan bases. With the commercial success of tournaments like the SA20, PSL, and The Hundred, there's a renewed appetite for a global franchise showdown. The World Club Championship aims to fill that void—bringing together the best of the best from each league on one grand stage.

If successful, it could become cricket’s version of the FIFA Club World Cup, offering top-tier franchise competition beyond national boundaries.