Franchise Cricket Leagues Explained — IPL, BBL, PSL and More
A complete overview of the major cricket franchise T20 leagues around the world: the IPL, Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League, The Hundred, and SA20 — and how they fit into the cricket calendar.
Franchise T20 cricket leagues have become a dominant force in the sport since the IPL's launch in 2008. Each league assigns city-based franchises that recruit players through auctions or drafts, combining international stars with domestic talent for a six-to-eight-week competition. The growth of franchise leagues has created new revenue streams, developed talent, and also created scheduling tensions with international cricket.
The Major Leagues
| League | Country | Founded | Teams | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL (Indian Premier League) | India | 2008 | 10 | T20 |
| BBL (Big Bash League) | Australia | 2011 | 8 | T20 |
| PSL (Pakistan Super League) | Pakistan | 2016 | 6 | T20 |
| CPL (Caribbean Premier League) | West Indies | 2013 | 6 | T20 |
| SA20 | South Africa | 2023 | 6 | T20 |
| The Hundred | England | 2021 | 8 | 100-ball |
| ILT20 (UAE) | UAE | 2023 | 6 | T20 |
| LPL (Lanka Premier League) | Sri Lanka | 2020 | 5 | T20 |
The IPL's Dominance
The IPL dwarfs all other franchise leagues in revenue, viewership, and player salaries. An IPL contract for a top international player can be worth $2–4 million USD for six weeks of cricket. This scale means the IPL effectively sets the market price for T20 expertise worldwide — if a player is expensive in other leagues, they are still far below IPL valuations. The IPL's broadcast deal alone exceeds the combined broadcast revenue of several other leagues.
The Scheduling Challenge
The proliferation of franchise leagues creates a scheduling challenge: top international players can potentially earn more in six weeks of franchise cricket than in a full international year. This has created tension between national boards (who want players for international series) and franchise leagues (who want them for their events). The ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP) is meant to protect international windows, but enforcement is imperfect when leagues offer enormous financial incentives.
The Hundred
The Hundred is England's format innovation — a 100-ball competition (each team faces 100 balls per innings, with bowlers delivering sets of five or ten consecutive balls rather than six-ball overs). Launched in 2021 by the England and Wales Cricket Board, The Hundred was designed to attract new cricket audiences unfamiliar with traditional format conventions. It has become one of England's most-watched domestic competitions but remains controversial among traditional cricket fans.
Frequently asked questions
Can international players play in multiple franchise leagues?
Yes — international players can participate in multiple leagues subject to their national board's NoC (No Objection Certificate) and the ICC's scheduling framework. Top players often move from IPL to PSL to BBL across the year, earning significant franchise salaries in addition to international match fees.
Which franchise league pays the most?
The IPL is by a significant margin the highest-paying franchise league. The gap is so large that the second-highest-paying leagues (SA20, The Hundred) offer contracts at typically a quarter to a tenth of the IPL's top player values. IPL auction prices for top players regularly exceed $2 million USD per season.
Does franchise cricket count in official statistics?
No — franchise league matches are domestic T20 competitions and do not count in players' international statistics (Test, ODI, T20I). However, domestic T20 statistics are widely tracked and influence player valuations at auctions. A player's IPL franchise career statistics are completely separate from their international T20I record.