Stories
ICC Scraps Plans for Champions League T20 Return After Big Three Opposition
- •The International Cricket Council has abandoned plans to bring back a global franchise T20 tournament similar to the Champions League Twenty20 until at least 2031.
- •The proposal faced strong opposition from cricket's big three boards representing India, Australia, and England, who argued there is no room in the busy calendar.
- •The ICC aimed to capture new revenue streams as broadcast investments shift, viewing the tournament as its version of the FIFA Club World Cup.
- •India, England, and Australia maintained their control over cricket revenues, ensuring the upcoming Future Tours Programme will remain largely unchanged.
Key Questions Answered
The ICC scrapped the tournament plans after facing firm opposition and protests from cricket's big three: India, England, and Australia. Their boards argued that there is simply no space in the crowded cricket calendar for additional events unless other existing ICC competitions are reduced.
The original CLT20 took place between 2009 and 2014, featuring top club teams from domestic leagues like the IPL and BBL. It was eventually discontinued due to poor commercial returns, low viewership numbers, and unsustainable financial losses.
Because of the stalemate and the refusal of India, England, and Australia to accommodate new events, the Future Tours Programme for the 2031 cycle will remain virtually identical to the current one. The only potential modification expected in this period is an expanded World Test Championship.
