SA20 and the Global T20 League Explosion: New Franchises in 2024
The SA20 (South Africa), ILT20 (UAE), and MLC (USA) are new T20 leagues that launched in 2023-24, expanding the global franchise circuit that players navigate alongside national commitments. This guide covers the new leagues, their structure, and their impact on the international cricket calendar.
The global T20 franchise circuit expanded dramatically in 2023-24 with three major new league launches: SA20 (South Africa, January-February, launched January 2023), ILT20 (UAE International League T20, January-February, launched January 2023), and MLC (Major League Cricket, USA, July, launched July 2023). These leagues join the established circuit (IPL, PSL, BBL, CPL, The Hundred, Bangladesh Premier League) to create a near-continuous global T20 season that runs from January to October, occupying most non-ICC-event windows.
SA20
SA20 (South Africa, January-February): 6 teams, franchise-owned by IPL franchises (MI Cape Town, Durban Super Giants, Joburg Super Kings, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals, Sunrisers Eastern Cape) — the direct commercial link between SA20 and IPL makes SA20 effectively an IPL satellite competition in South Africa. The IPL franchise ownership means SA20 benefits from IPL's management expertise, player relationships, and commercial infrastructure. SA20's first two seasons (2023, 2024) established it as cricket's 3rd-most commercially significant T20 league globally (behind IPL and PSL by player participation numbers).
MLC (USA)
Major League Cricket (USA) launched in July 2023 with 6 teams (Texas Super Kings, MI New York, LA Knight Riders, Seattle Orcas, San Francisco Unicorns, Washington Freedom) — again with direct IPL franchise ownership (CSK, MI, KKR each own MLC franchises). The ICC had identified North America as the highest-priority growth market (large South Asian diaspora, no established professional cricket league, and the 2024 T20 World Cup co-hosted by USA providing a commercial launch opportunity). MLC's first season averaged 3,000-5,000 attendance per game — modest but meaningful for a new market. The 2024 T20 World Cup's America performances (USA beat Pakistan) validated the ICC's North America investment thesis.
Impact on Players
The T20 league explosion creates difficult choices for players: the SA20-ILT20-IPL-The Hundred-BBL-CPL cycle runs from January to September with minimal gaps. Players who participate in all available leagues can earn $3-5M annually from franchise cricket alone — but the physical and mental toll of continuous travel and competition is significant. Several senior players (including AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle) retired from international cricket partly to maximise franchise league participation; younger players now manage franchise contracts alongside national commitments that require board approval (NOC — no objection certificate). The NOC system is T20 franchise cricket's primary governance conflict.
Frequently asked questions
What is SA20?
SA20 (South Africa T20 League) is a professional T20 franchise competition in South Africa, launched in January 2023. It features 6 teams owned by IPL franchises (MI Cape Town, Durban Super Giants, Joburg Super Kings, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals, Sunrisers Eastern Cape). The season runs January-February, before IPL begins. SA20 is considered cricket's 3rd most commercially significant T20 league. Its IPL franchise ownership creates a direct commercial link — SA20 effectively serves as an IPL feeder and warmup competition.
What is the ILT20?
ILT20 (International League T20, UAE) is a franchise T20 league in the UAE, launched January 2023. It features 6 teams and runs January-February alongside SA20. The ILT20 is part of the growing Gulf cricket infrastructure — the UAE has hosted significant T20 cricket events since the 2021 T20 World Cup and Pakistan's home matches during security concerns. The ILT20's player attraction is primarily through high overseas player fees; its broadcast audience is heavily reliant on subcontinent diaspora viewership rather than local UAE cricket followers.
What is Major League Cricket (MLC)?
Major League Cricket (MLC) is a franchise T20 league in the United States, launched July 2023 with 6 teams (Texas Super Kings, MI New York, LA Knight Riders, Seattle Orcas, San Francisco Unicorns, Washington Freedom). The league has IPL franchise ownership (CSK, MI, KKR each own an MLC team). It is the ICC's primary commercial instrument for developing North American cricket — the large South Asian diaspora (50M+) represents an untapped cricket market. MLC's first season generated modest crowds (3,000-5,000 per game) but established professional infrastructure for the growing US cricket market.