Cricket's Domestic T20 Leagues Explained — IPL, BBL, PSL and More
Cricket's domestic T20 leagues have transformed the sport. Learn what makes each major league different — IPL, BBL, PSL, CPL, SA20, ILT20, The Hundred — their formats, prize money, and global impact.
The explosion of domestic T20 franchise leagues since the IPL's launch in 2008 has fundamentally changed cricket. Players who once relied solely on international cricket for their income can now earn more in six weeks of franchise cricket than in a full international year. Fans get elite cricket year-round. But critics argue it is cannibalising Test cricket. Here is a guide to the world's major franchise leagues.
IPL — Indian Premier League
Founded: 2008. Format: 10 teams, round-robin + playoffs. Season: March–May. The IPL is cricket's most lucrative and watched franchise tournament — its media rights are valued at billions of dollars. The IPL's auction system and city-based franchises revolutionised how players are valued globally. Prize pool: the winner receives approximately ₹20 crore ($2.5M). The IPL sets the financial floor for every other league.
BBL — Big Bash League (Australia)
Founded: 2011. Format: 8 teams, round-robin + finals. Season: December–January. Australia's BBL runs over the Christmas period and has strong domestic attendance. The Bash Boost point (given to the team ahead at the halfway point of the innings) is a unique rule. It's also the league that has most integrated women's cricket — WBBL runs concurrently.
PSL — Pakistan Super League
Founded: 2016. Format: 6 teams, round-robin + playoffs. Season: February–March (in Pakistan since 2020). The PSL initially played all matches in UAE due to security concerns but transitioned to full Pakistan hosting. It has been important for reviving international cricket in Pakistan.
CPL — Caribbean Premier League
Founded: 2013. Format: 6 teams from Caribbean nations. Season: August–September. The CPL discovers and showcases West Indian talent and brings T20 cricket to smaller cricket-playing nations like Guyana, St Kitts, and Barbados.
SA20 (South Africa) and ILT20 (UAE/Middle East)
SA20 (launched 2023) and ILT20 (launched 2023) are both owned by the same consortium behind the IPL and use IPL franchise formats. SA20 plays in January, filling a gap in the cricket calendar. ILT20 (International League T20) is based in the UAE and targets South Asian diaspora audiences.
The Hundred (England)
Launched in 2021, The Hundred uses a 100-ball format instead of 20 overs. Ten balls are bowled from each end per set (not six-ball overs). It is designed to attract new, casual audiences. It runs in July–August and features men's and women's competitions simultaneously.
Frequently asked questions
How many T20 franchise leagues are there in cricket?
There are now more than 15 major domestic T20 franchise leagues globally, including the IPL, BBL, PSL, CPL, SA20, ILT20, The Hundred, LPL (Sri Lanka), BPL (Bangladesh), MLC (USA), GT20 Canada, and others.
Which T20 league pays the most?
The IPL (Indian Premier League) pays the most by a large margin. The top IPL players earn $2–3 million per season for 7–8 weeks of cricket, with uncapped overseas slots also worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Is the IPL bigger than international cricket?
In terms of revenue and prize money, yes. IPL media rights alone exceeded $6 billion in the most recent deal. Many international players prioritise IPL contracts over bilateral series commitments, which has created friction with national boards.
What is The Hundred in cricket?
The Hundred is England's franchise T20 league, launched in 2021, that uses a 100-ball format instead of the standard T20 20-over format. Each set consists of 10 balls from the same end, creating different bowling strategies and tactical decisions.