Major T20 Cricket Leagues Around the World: A Complete Guide
The IPL, BBL, PSL, CPL, The Hundred, SA20, and ILT20 are among the world's top domestic T20 leagues. Learn when they're played, which teams participate, and how each league has shaped modern cricket.
Since the Indian Premier League launched in 2008, franchise T20 cricket has transformed the sport globally. Today more than a dozen major T20 leagues operate across cricket-playing nations, creating a year-round calendar of short-format cricket that attracts the world's best players and generates billions in broadcast revenue.
The Big Six T20 Leagues
| League | Country | Teams | Season Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPL (Indian Premier League) | India | 10 | March–May |
| BBL (Big Bash League) | Australia | 8 | December–January |
| PSL (Pakistan Super League) | Pakistan | 6 | February–March |
| CPL (Caribbean Premier League) | West Indies | 6 | August–September |
| The Hundred | England & Wales | 8 | July–August |
| SA20 | South Africa | 6 | January–February |
Indian Premier League (IPL)
The IPL is the world's most valuable cricket league and one of the highest-grossing sporting leagues globally, with annual revenue exceeding $1 billion. It operates a player auction model where franchises bid for players. Winning the IPL title has become as prestigious as major international tournaments for many players and has made T20 cricket's fastest-growing format.
Big Bash League (BBL)
Australia's BBL introduced innovations including the Bash Boost (bonus points for leading at the 10-over mark), the X-Factor (substituting an unused batter/bowler at the innings break), and the Bash Brothers concept. It runs over the Australian summer and is broadcast free-to-air, reaching the largest domestic audience of any T20 league outside India.
Newer Leagues: SA20, ILT20, MLC
South Africa's SA20 launched in January 2023 with strong IPL franchise investment; ILT20 (UAE) and MLC (USA) followed the same year. These leagues are expanding the T20 ecosystem into new markets. USA's MLC is part of a broader push to establish cricket ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup co-hosted in the United States.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the richest T20 league in the world?
The IPL — valued at over $10 billion as a brand, it generates the highest broadcast deals and player salaries of any T20 competition.
Can international players play in all T20 leagues?
International player availability varies — England's ECB and other boards place restrictions on which leagues players can participate in. The IPL typically attracts the most overseas talent.