Why Champions League T20 Was Shelved - And Why It's Back Now

CLT20 was launched in 2009, inspired by UEFA Champions League. The concept was simple: pit the best T20 teams from various national leagues against each other in an international competition.

Champions League T20 first edition was held in India, with New South Wales Blues defeating Trinidad and Tobago in the final.

Source : @MSDianMrigu / X

The Champions League T20 (CLT20) is making a comeback after 12 long years. As per reports from Cricbuzz, the ICC has given the green light for its return during its annual meeting.

The tournament, which last took place in 2014, was once a unique global T20 competition featuring top domestic teams from different countries. Let’s take a look at its journey—how it started, what made it stop, and what’s expected now.

How It All Began

The CLT20 was launched in 2009, inspired by football’s UEFA Champions League model. It was introduced a year after the Indian Premier League (IPL) began and was jointly managed by the BCCI, Cricket Australia, and Cricket South Africa.

The concept was simple: pit the best T20 teams from various national leagues against each other in an international competition.

Winners Over the Years

The tournament’s first edition was held in India, with New South Wales Blues defeating Trinidad and Tobago in the final. IPL franchises dominated in the following years. Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians each won the title twice.

2009 – New South Wales Blues

2010 – Chennai Super Kings

2011 – Mumbai Indians

2012 – Sydney Sixers

2013 – Mumbai Indians

2014 – Chennai Super Kings

Tournament Format Explained

Unlike domestic leagues where teams from one country compete, the CLT20 brought together top-performing teams from different T20 leagues such as the IPL, BBL, CPL, and South Africa’s T20 Challenge.

In the 2014 edition, there were direct entries for 4 IPL teams, 2 each from Australia and South Africa, and 1 from the Caribbean Premier League. Four more teams played in the qualifying round for a spot in the main draw.

Teams from India, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka took part over the years. England participated in three editions but pulled out from 2012, citing scheduling conflicts with their domestic cricket calendar.

Why Pakistani Teams Were Not Included

Due to strained political ties following the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Pakistani teams were not invited. With Indian viewership in mind, the focus remained on IPL teams, which were allowed up to four spots, while teams from other leagues were limited to two.

Why CLT20 Was Discontinued

In 2015, Star Sports chose to withdraw from the tournament due to financial losses, leading to its cancellation. The BCCI, along with Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa, mutually agreed to discontinue the event.

Why It’s Coming Back Now

Cricket’s economic landscape has changed drastically in the past decade. The value of broadcasting rights has soared, and franchise cricket has become more lucrative. With renewed global interest, a new media rights tender is expected later this year, paving the way for a grand return of the Champions League T20.