Top Leagues in Cricket played all around the world

Once upon a time, Test cricket used to be the ultimate format. However, with the growing popularity of the T20 format and the International Cricket council mandating it, it became widely accepted all over the world. However, the real boost came after India started the Indian Premier League in 2008.

Australia' Big Bash League was a quick successor, followed by other countries joining the race. The League games are no doubt much more lucrative for all stakeholders, be it the management, the players, or the broadcasters. For the fans, it gives quick entertainment, much power and less patience too.

Several players are quitting international cricket at an early age to focus on League cricket. Not only that, boards like New Zealand Cricket are adopting Casual Contracts giving players the freedom to choose.

However, here is a list of a few top leagues currently going on in the World. We are not inclusing Leagues that are specially made for retired players only.

1 | Indian Premier League (IPL) – India

Started in 2008, the IPL is the world’s biggest T20 league. Teams build squads through a mega/mini auction, where capped, uncapped, and overseas players enter different price brackets, with a maximum base price of ₹2 crore. Each squad can have 25 players (up to 8 overseas), while only 4 overseas can be in the XI. It follows a double round-robin + playoffs format. The latest champions (2024) were the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

2 | Pakistan Super League (PSL) – Pakistan

Launched in 2016, PSL uses a draft system instead of auctions. Players are chosen from categories—Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, Emerging—each with set salary caps. Squads may have 20 players with 7 overseas, and 4 foreigners can play in the XI. The format includes double round-robin + playoffs. PSL is known for strong fast-bowling talent. The most recent winners (2024) were Islamabad United.

Read also: 4 Ashes 2025-26 Players Who Could Earn Big at the IPL 2026 Auction

3 | Big Bash League (BBL) – Australia

Started in 2011, the BBL is a city-based T20 league that uses player contracts instead of auctions or drafts. Squads can sign up to 18 players, including 6 overseas (subject to availability), but only 3 overseas can play in the XI. It runs a league stage + multi-layered finals format. BBL focuses heavily on Australian domestic players. The latest champions (2023–24) were the Brisbane Heat.

 

4 | Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) – Bangladesh

First held in 2012, BPL uses a player draft system with categories like Icon, Platinum, A+, A, etc., each with fixed salaries. Squads can include 20–25 players, with 3–4 overseas allowed in the playing XI (depending on the season’s rules). The league follows a round-robin + playoffs format. BPL often features top T20 freelancers. The latest champions (2024) were the Comilla Victorians.

5 | Lanka Premier League (LPL) – Sri Lanka

Launched in 2020, LPL selects players via a player auction (2023 onward) with categories for capped, uncapped, and overseas players. Squads usually include 20–24 players, with 6 overseas and a limit of 4 overseas in the XI. The tournament format is double round-robin + playoffs. LPL attracts Sri Lankan stars and freelance T20 players. The latest champions (2024) were the Jaffna Kings.

However, LPL was postponed in 2025 due to ICC T20 World Cup 2026 preparations and stadium upgrades. Franchise instability also affected it, with two teams terminated over contractual violations and past controversies. SLC plans to resume LPL in July–August 2026, so the league is paused, not canceled.

6 | Caribbean Premier League (CPL) – West Indies

Started in 2013, the CPL uses a draft system with salary categories: Icon, Platinum, A, B, C, etc. Teams have 17 players, including up to 5 overseas. Only 4 overseas can play in the XI. The format is league stage + knockout playoffs. CPL is famous for flair, big hitters, and Caribbean talent. The latest champions (2025) were the Trinbago Knight Riders.

Read also: A timeline of T20 cricket: from the England grounds to a money-making hub in India

7 | SA20 – South Africa

Inaugurated in 2023, SA20 uses a player auction where domestic and overseas players enter with base prices. Squads consist of 17 players with 7 overseas, but a maximum of 4 overseas can play in the XI. The format follows round-robin + playoffs. The league is known for its IPL-backed team ownership. The latest champions (2025) were the MI Cape Town.

8 | ILT20 (International League T20) – UAE

Started in 2023, ILT20 uses a direct signing + draft model. Player salaries are among the highest globally, with top brackets reaching USD 450,000. Teams can have 25 players, including 12 overseas, and surprisingly up to 9 overseas can play in the XI due to UAE’s associate status. The league follows a round-robin + playoffs structure. Latest champions (2025) were the Dubai Capitals.

9 | Major League Cricket (MLC) – USA

Founded in 2023, MLC operates through a draft + direct signings system for domestic and overseas players. Each squad includes 18–21 players, with 9–10 overseas, but only 6 overseas can be in the XI. The league uses a round-robin + playoffs format. Notably, India's former Under 19 World Cup winnings captain Unmukt Chand will be playing in the league. The newest champions (2024) were the MI New York.

10 | Shpageeza Cricket League — Afghanistan

The Shpageeza Cricket League, started in 2013, is Afghanistan’s main T20 franchise tournament organised by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). It features 8 teams, and players are picked through a player draft system. Afghan national players, domestic talents, and a limited number of overseas players participate. The latest champions (2024) are Amo Sharks.

11 | Abu Dhabi T10 — UAE

The Abu Dhabi T10, launched in 2017, is a fast-paced 10-over franchise league sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board. Matches finish in about 90 minutes, attracting global T20/T10 power-hitters. The tournament uses a round-robin plus playoffs format, featuring multiple international teams. The 2025 champions were UAE Bulls, winning the final by 80 runs

12 | The Hundreds — England

The Hundred will shift to an IPL-style player auction from 2026, replacing the old draft. Each team will have 16–18 players with a maximum of 4 overseas players. Sides can make up to 4 pre-auction signings, including England-contracted or overseas stars, before filling the rest of the squad at the auction. The salary cap is £2.05 million for men and £880,000 for women, with multi-year contracts now allowed. Eligible players include English domestic cricketers, centrally contracted England players, and overseas internationals. Oval Invincibles won the 2025 season defeating Trent Rockets by 26 runs.

Major International franchise cricket Leagues: formats, teams, and champions

League Name	Inception Year	Format	Number of Teams	Latest Champion
Indian Premier League (IPL) — India	2008	T20	10	Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2025)
Pakistan Super League (PSL) — Pakistan	2016	T20	6	Lahore Qalandars (2025)
Big Bash League (BBL) — Australia	2011	T20	8	Hobart Hurricanes (2024–25)
Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) — Bangladesh	2012	T20	7	Fortune Barishal (2025)
Lanka Premier League (LPL) — Sri Lanka	2020	T20	5	Jaffna Kings (2024)
Caribbean Premier League (CPL) — West Indies	2013	T20	6	Trinbago Knight Riders (2025)
SA20 — South Africa	2023	T20	6	MI Cape Town (2025)
International League T20 (ILT20) — UAE	2023	T20	6	Dubai Capitals (2025)
Abu Dhabi T10 — UAE	2017	T10	8	UAE Bulls (2025)
Major League Cricket (MLC) — USA	2023	T20	6	Washington Freedom (2024)
Shpageeza Cricket League — Afghanistan	2013	T20	8	Amo Sharks (2025)
The Hundreds- England	2017	100 balls	8	Oval Invincibles