Royal Challengers Bengaluru Win - (Source : @RCB/X.com)
In a significant development, there are reports that the IPL defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will not be part of the upcoming Champions League T20 reboot, which will be rebranded as the World Club Championship and launched in 2026.
A PTI report stated that despite the World Club Championship having backing from the BCCI, IPL teams will not be part of the inaugural edition.
“Though the planned event has the backing of the Indian board, for the inaugural championship, there will be no IPL participation,” a source told PTI.
PSL Also to Be Sidelined
Not just the IPL, but there will also be no representation from the PSL. The report added that an invitation was sent to the CEO of the PSL to attend a meeting with other boards regarding the future of the World Club Championship. However, there was no response; thus, the Lahore Qalandars, who are the defending champions, will also miss out on the inaugural edition of the Champions League T20 reboot.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board was invited to send the CEO of the PSL for a meeting held on the sidelines of the Cricket Connect meeting in London last month, but no one showed up,” the source said.
World Club Championship to Feature 5-6 Teams
The newly formed league is set to feature five to six teams and will include representation from the ILT20, Big Bash League, The Hundred, SA20, Major League Cricket (MLC), and Caribbean Premier League.
“Discussions were held on the proposed World Club Championship, including its window, format, schedule, etc. The CEOs of the Emirates League, Big Bash League, The Hundred, SA20, MLC, and Caribbean Premier League attended the meeting. Pakistan was also invited,” the source added.
Why Are BCCI and ECB Rushing the World Club Championship?
The source said that the World Club Championship is apparently being fast-tracked in a bid to beat the Saudi League, which is in plan and set to introduce a new T20 model along the lines of Tennis Grand Slam.
The league is set to have $400 million investment, which has forced the BCCI and ECB to join hands and introduce the World Club Championship.