IPL Champions RCB Left Out of Champions League Return
No RCB or IPL teams in new World Club Championship. PSL also sidelined as Saudi-backed T20 threat looms.
Indian Premier League 2025 winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will not be part of the new-look Champions League T20, now being rebranded as the World Club Championship.
As per a PTI report, the tournament is being planned for a 2026 launch and will feature top T20 teams from around the world. However, despite support from the BCCI, no IPL team, including RCB, will take part in the first 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 Ignored
It’s not just RCB and IPL teams missing out. The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has also been sidelined. Defending champions Lahore Qalandars will not be part of the tournament either.
According to the report, PSL officials did not attend a key meeting that was held in London last month alongside the Cricket Connect event.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board was invited to send the CEO of the PSL for a meeting… but no one showed up,” the source said.
Only 5–6 Teams in First Edition
The new World Club Championship will feature 5 to 6 teams in the first edition. These are likely to include teams from the ILT20 (UAE), Big Bash League (Australia), The Hundred (England), SA20 (South Africa), Major League Cricket (USA), and CPL (West Indies).
The meeting in London reportedly focused on locking in the tournament format, schedule, and final structure.
“CEOs of the Emirates League, Big Bash League, The Hundred, SA20, MLC, and Caribbean Premier League attended the meeting,” the report said.
Why Is the League Being Fast-Tracked?
The push to launch the World Club Championship early is seen as a move to counter Saudi Arabia’s upcoming T20 model, which is expected to shake up franchise cricket.
The Saudi-backed league is reportedly planning a new model inspired by tennis Grand Slams, with investment worth $400 million.
To stay ahead of that competition, boards like the BCCI and ECB are speeding up the launch of their global club-based league.
