Global T20 Leagues 2025-26 Explained: SA20, ILT20, MLC, CPL, and The Hundred
The global T20 franchise cricket ecosystem has grown to include leagues on five continents. This guide explains how the SA20, ILT20, MLC, CPL, and The Hundred fit together — their formats, ownership, timing, and significance for world cricket.
The 2020s have seen a dramatic expansion of professional T20 franchise cricket beyond the IPL. Five new leagues have launched since 2021 — the SA20 (South Africa), ILT20 (UAE), MLC (USA), The Hundred (England), and the CPL (Caribbean, since 2013) — alongside established competitions like the BBL (Australia) and PSL (Pakistan). Understanding how these leagues fit together — their formats, owners, timing, and significance — is essential context for following global cricket in 2025-26.
SA20 (South Africa): January–February
The Betway SA20 launched in January 2023 with six IPL-owned franchises: Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SRH), MI Cape Town (Mumbai Indians), Paarl Royals (Rajasthan Royals), Durban's Super Giants (Lucknow Super Giants), Pretoria Capitals (Delhi Capitals), and Joburg Super Kings (Chennai Super Kings). The league runs for approximately five weeks each January-February in South Africa's summer. The IPL ownership model gives the SA20 immediate financial stability and access to the global cricketing network. Sunrisers Eastern Cape have won three of the first four titles. The SA20 is considered the highest-quality T20 league outside the IPL and BBL by most analysts.
ILT20 (UAE): January–February
The International League T20 (ILT20) launched in January 2023 with six UAE-based franchises, also majority-owned by IPL teams. Desert Vipers (Royal Challengers Bengaluru connection), MI Emirates (Mumbai Indians), Dubai Capitals (Delhi Capitals), Gulf Giants (Chennai Super Kings), Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders), and Sharjah Warriors compete in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. The UAE's central location and tax-free environment attract international players who might otherwise be unavailable during the ICC international calendar windows. ILT20's flat, night-cricket surfaces favour power batting and swing bowling in the evening humidity.
MLC (USA): July
Major League Cricket launched in July 2023 in the United States — the first professional cricket league in North America. Six teams (MI New York, Texas Super Kings, Washington Freedom, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, LA Knight Riders) play a six-week season across stadiums in Dallas, Washington, San Francisco, and New York. MLC's launch was timed to coincide with the build-up to the 2024 T20 World Cup co-hosted by the USA, and the league's growth since has been aided by cricket's massive immigration-driven fanbase in the United States. MI New York have won two of MLC's first three titles.
CPL (Caribbean): August–September
The Caribbean Premier League, launched in 2013, is the oldest of the modern T20 franchise competitions outside Australia. Six franchises represent West Indian cricket territories: Trinbago Knight Riders, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Barbados Royals, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Jamaica Tallawahs, and St Lucia Kings. The CPL provides West Indian cricketers — who often lack the Test cricket volume of other major nations — with high-quality competitive matches in their own conditions. TKR have won five CPL titles and are the competition's dominant franchise. The CPL calendar (August-September) fills the gap between England's season and the start of the international October-November windows.
The Hundred (England): July–August
The Hundred is the ECB's flagship franchise competition, running in July-August with eight franchises representing English cities. Unlike other leagues, The Hundred uses 100-ball innings rather than 20 overs — a format innovation designed to attract new audiences. The competition runs simultaneous men's and women's competitions, a model that has significantly raised the profile of women's cricket in England. Oval Invincibles won the men's competition three consecutive times (2023-2025). The Hundred's broadcast reach — Sky Sports and BBC — gives it the broadest terrestrial exposure of any new T20 league.
Frequently asked questions
What are the major T20 leagues besides the IPL?
The major T20 franchise leagues are: IPL (India), BBL (Australia, Dec-Feb), PSL (Pakistan, Feb-May), SA20 (South Africa, Jan-Feb), ILT20 (UAE, Jan-Feb), CPL (Caribbean, Aug-Sep), MLC (USA, July), and The Hundred (England, July-Aug). Each has its own format, ownership structure, and player draft system.
Are IPL teams connected to other T20 leagues?
Yes. IPL franchises own or have equity stakes in multiple global leagues: Mumbai Indians owns MI New York (MLC), MI Cape Town (SA20), and MI Emirates (ILT20). Chennai Super Kings owns Texas Super Kings (MLC) and Joburg Super Kings (SA20). This IPL network gives affiliated franchises access to the IPL's analytical and scouting infrastructure.
Which T20 league is considered the best after the IPL?
The BBL (Australia) and SA20 (South Africa) are generally considered the highest-quality T20 leagues after the IPL, based on playing standards, broadcast reach, and attendance. The SA20's competitive standard has been particularly noted — the presence of top international talent across all six IPL-owned franchises raises the bar compared to most other leagues.