Major T20 Cricket Leagues Around the World: IPL, PSL, BBL and More

Franchise T20 leagues have changed cricket in less than twenty years. Players now travel between leagues all year, and fans can watch top-level cricket almost every month. Here is a guide to the biggest leagues.

Indian Premier League (IPL) – India, since 2008

The IPL is the richest and most-watched cricket league in the world. It started in 2008, and its player auction, packed stadiums and huge television deals set the model that other leagues followed. It is usually played from March to May.

Big Bash League (BBL) – Australia, since 2011–12

The BBL is played in the Australian summer, around December and January, and is known for family crowds and city-based teams. Australia also has a women's competition, the WBBL.

Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) – Bangladesh, since 2012

The BPL brings international stars to Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet and gives young Bangladeshi players experience alongside them.

Caribbean Premier League (CPL) – West Indies, since 2013

Played across several Caribbean islands, usually in August and September, the CPL is famous for its music, carnival atmosphere and big hitting.

Pakistan Super League (PSL) – Pakistan, since 2016

The PSL started in 2016 with all matches in the United Arab Emirates, because international cricket could not yet be played in Pakistan. Matches gradually returned home, and the league is now played in Pakistani cities such as Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Multan. The PSL is known for producing fast bowlers who go on to play for Pakistan.

Lanka Premier League (LPL) – Sri Lanka, since 2020

The LPL gives Sri Lankan players a home franchise competition, played in venues such as Colombo, Kandy and Hambantota.

The Hundred – England and Wales, since 2021

The Hundred is not a T20 league: each innings has 100 balls instead of 120, bowled in sets of five or ten from one end. Men's and women's matches are often played on the same day at the same ground.

SA20 – South Africa, since 2023

SA20 is played in January and February, with six franchises in South African cities. It has quickly become one of the strongest leagues outside India.

ILT20 – United Arab Emirates, since 2023

The International League T20 is played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, with squads built mostly from overseas players together with UAE players.

Major League Cricket (MLC) – United States, since 2023

MLC is part of the effort to grow cricket in the USA. Its first seasons were played in Texas and North Carolina, with many international stars taking part.

Why leagues matter to international cricket

• Players earn more and gain experience against the best in the world.
• Young players from smaller countries share a dressing room with stars.
• Boards must plan international fixtures around league windows.

Read previews and reports in our T20 Leagues section, and see how teams are ranked in our net run rate guide.

League calendar at a glance

These are the usual playing windows. Dates change from season to season, so check the official schedule of each league.

League	Country	Usual season
IPL	India	March to May
PSL	Pakistan	Usually February to March (some seasons later)
BBL	Australia	December to January
BPL	Bangladesh	December to February
SA20	South Africa	January to February
ILT20	UAE	Around December to February
MLC	USA	June to July
CPL	West Indies	August to September
The Hundred	England and Wales	August

How teams are built

Each league has its own way of sharing out players. The IPL uses a player auction, where franchises bid for players within a salary limit. The PSL uses a draft: players are placed in categories such as Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver and Emerging, and teams take turns to pick. Every league also limits the number of overseas players in a playing XI. In the IPL, for example, a team can field at most four overseas players, which keeps local players at the heart of each team.

Women's leagues

Franchise cricket is growing fast in the women's game as well. The Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) started in Australia in 2015, The Hundred has had men's and women's competitions side by side since 2021, the Women's Caribbean Premier League began in 2022 and India's Women's Premier League (WPL) started in 2023. These leagues have helped many young players reach international cricket.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the oldest of these leagues?

The IPL, which started in 2008, is the oldest of the leagues in this guide.

Which league is Pakistan's own?

The Pakistan Super League (PSL), first played in 2016.

Is The Hundred a T20 league?

No. Each innings in The Hundred has 100 balls, compared with 120 balls in a T20 innings.