The World Championship of Legends (WCL) is set to return for its third season in October 2026, featuring seven national champion teams and another edition built around legendary cricketers and eligible franchise T20 players. While the tournament has confirmed its participating teams, the complete fixtures, venues, squads and broadcast details will be announced in the coming months.
WCL 2026 At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | World Championship of Legends 2026 |
| Season | 3 |
| Cricket Format | T20 |
| Host Country | England |
| Tournament Window | October 2026 |
| Number of Teams | 7 |
| Participating Teams | India Champions, Pakistan Champions, England Champions, Australia Champions, South Africa Champions, West Indies Champions, Bangladesh Champions |
| Tournament Format | League Stage followed by Knockout Stage |
| New Team | Bangladesh Champions |
| Defending Champions | South Africa Champions |
| Season 1 Champions | India Champions |
| Fixtures | Yet to be announced |
| Venues | Yet to be announced |
| Squads | Yet to be announced |
| Broadcast Details | Yet to be announced |
WCL 2026: Season 3 Set for October With 7 Teams
The World Championship of Legends (WCL) has officially confirmed that Season 3 will be held in October 2026. After two successful editions, Season 3 will feature seven competing teams, with organisers promising the tournament’s biggest edition yet. The upcoming edition will include India Champions, Pakistan Champions, England Champions, Australia Champions, South Africa Champions, West Indies Champions and Bangladesh Champions.
Organisers have also confirmed that the tournament will once again feature legendary former international cricketers alongside active players who continue to participate in franchise T20 competitions but are not centrally contracted by their national cricket boards.
The complete fixture list, venues, team squads and broadcast partners are expected to be announced in the coming months.
What is the World Championship of Legends (WCL)?
The World Championship of Legends (WCL) is an international T20 cricket tournament that brings together legendary former international cricketers and eligible active players who continue to participate in franchise T20 competitions but are not centrally contracted by their national cricket boards.
Hosted in England, the competition recreates some of cricket’s biggest international rivalries by featuring national champion teams representing countries such as India, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa, West Indies and, for the first time in Season 3, Bangladesh.
After successfully completing its first two editions, the tournament has developed into one of the world’s most recognized legends cricket competitions, combining nostalgia with competitive cricket played by experienced international stars.
The tournament is played in the T20 format and follows a league stage before progressing to the knockout rounds, where the champion is decided. Season 3 will continue this format with an expanded field of seven participating teams.
What’s New in WCL Season 3?
The third edition of the World Championship of Legends introduces several important developments as the tournament continues to expand following two successful seasons.
Bangladesh Champions Join the Competition
Season 3 will feature Bangladesh Champions for the first time, increasing the tournament from six to seven participating teams. The expansion brings another major cricketing nation into the competition and adds fresh rivalries to the league stage.
Stronger Player Pool
The tournament will once again combine legendary former international cricketers with active players who continue to compete in franchise T20 leagues but are not centrally contracted by their national boards. Organisers believe this mix has significantly increased the quality and competitiveness of the tournament.
Bigger Tournament Expectations
With growing popularity over the first two editions, Season 3 has been announced as the tournament’s biggest edition yet. The competition has established itself by reviving iconic international rivalries while giving fans another opportunity to watch celebrated cricketers compete in a professional T20 environment.
More Tournament Details to Follow
While the participating teams and tournament window have been confirmed, organisers will announce the complete fixtures, venues, squads and broadcast partners through the official channels in the coming months.
Why the World Championship of Legends Has Grown So Quickly
The World Championship of Legends has established itself as one of cricket’s fastest-growing legends tournaments by combining nostalgia with competitive T20 cricket.
Unlike exhibition matches, WCL features national teams made up of former international stars alongside eligible active cricketers who continue to play franchise cricket around the world. This has created a higher standard of competition while allowing fans to watch many of the sport’s most recognizable names return to the field.
Another major attraction is the revival of historic international rivalries. Fixtures involving teams such as India Champions, Pakistan Champions, Australia Champions, England Champions and South Africa Champions have helped the tournament build a strong following across global cricket audiences.
With the addition of Bangladesh Champions for Season 3, the competition continues to expand its international reach and strengthen its position as one of the leading legends cricket events.
WCL 2026 Participating Teams Overview
The third edition of the World Championship of Legends will feature seven national champion teams, each bringing a unique history and identity into the tournament. From inaugural champions to defending title holders and a new expansion side, every team adds a different storyline to WCL Season 3.
| Team | Expected Captain | Status Ahead of WCL 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| India Champions | Yuvraj Singh | Inaugural WCL champions and one of the tournament’s strongest sides. |
| Pakistan Champions | Mohammad Hafeez | Two-time runners-up looking to secure their first championship. |
| South Africa Champions | AB de Villiers | Defending champions entering Season 3 after winning the previous edition. |
| Australia Champions | Brett Lee | A squad filled with experienced international players aiming for a breakthrough campaign. |
| England Champions | Eoin Morgan | Home team hoping to capitalize on familiar conditions in England. |
| West Indies Champions | Chris Gayle | Known for explosive T20 players and entertaining cricket. |
| Bangladesh Champions | TBA | The newest team in WCL, making its tournament debut in Season 3. |
Each of these teams represents a different chapter in the tournament’s history, creating multiple storylines as the race for the WCL 2026 title begins.
World Championship of Legends: Season-by-Season Journey
Since its launch, the World Championship of Legends has grown into one of cricket’s most recognized legends tournaments by bringing together former international stars and experienced franchise cricketers in a competitive T20 format.
| Season | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Season 1 (2024) | The inaugural edition introduced the tournament, with India Champions emerging as the first WCL title winners after defeating Pakistan Champions in the final. |
| Season 2 (2025) | South Africa Champions lifted the title, while the tournament continued to grow in popularity by attracting legendary cricketers and active franchise players from across the cricketing world. |
| Season 3 (2026) | The competition expands to seven teams with the addition of Bangladesh Champions. The tournament returns in October 2026, with fixtures, squads, venues and broadcast details to be announced. |
Over its first two editions, the World Championship of Legends has built a reputation for reviving iconic international rivalries while providing fans with another opportunity to watch many of cricket’s most celebrated players compete in high-level T20 cricket.
WCL 2026: Confirmed vs Awaited
Although the World Championship of Legends Season 3 has been officially announced, several important tournament details are still to be revealed. Here’s a quick look at what has already been confirmed and what fans can expect in the coming months.
| Confirmed | Awaited |
|---|---|
| Season 3 will be held in October 2026 | Complete match schedule |
| England will host the tournament | Match venues |
| Seven teams will participate | Team squads |
| Bangladesh Champions join as the new team | Captains (where applicable) |
| Tournament will be played in the T20 format | Broadcast partners |
| League stage followed by knockout stage | Ticket sale details |
The remaining tournament announcements are expected to shape the build-up to the competition before the opening match in October.
Tournament Leadership Eyes Biggest Season Yet
The announcement of World Championship of Legends Season 3 was accompanied by a strong message from the tournament’s leadership, who believe the competition has evolved into one of cricket’s most anticipated legends events.
WCL Founder and CEO Harshit Tomar said the vision behind the tournament was to create more than just another cricket competition by celebrating the players who shaped the game. He added that after two successful editions, WCL has grown into a cricket phenomenon, with fans eagerly awaiting each new season, and expressed confidence that Season 3 would take the tournament to an entirely new level.
WCL Co-owner Ajay Devgn described the World Championship of Legends as more than a cricket league, saying it brings together emotion, nostalgia and entertainment on one platform. He also said the upcoming edition is expected to be the tournament’s boldest season yet.
These comments underline the organisers’ ambition to continue expanding the tournament while building on the success of its first two editions.
WCL 2026 Timeline
The countdown to the third edition of the World Championship of Legends has already begun, with several key milestones confirmed and more announcements expected before the tournament gets underway.
| Timeline | Development |
|---|---|
| June 2026 | World Championship of Legends Season 3 officially announced |
| October 2026 | WCL Season 3 scheduled to begin in England |
| Coming Months | Complete fixtures, venues, team squads, captains and broadcast partners expected to be announced |
As additional tournament information is released, the timeline will continue to evolve with fixture announcements, squad confirmations and venue details ahead of the opening match.
This page will continue to be updated as official announcements are made ahead of the tournament.
WCL 2026 Quick Answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is WCL? | An international T20 tournament featuring legendary cricketers and eligible franchise players. |
| When is WCL 2026? | October 2026. |
| Where will WCL 2026 be played? | England. |
| How many teams are participating? | Seven teams. |
| Which team is new this season? | Bangladesh Champions. |
| What format will be used? | T20 with a league stage followed by knockout matches. |
| Has the schedule been released? | No. It will be announced in the coming months. |
| Have squads been announced? | No. |
| Have venues been announced? | No. |
| Have broadcasters been announced? | No. |
The World Championship of Legends has evolved beyond a nostalgia-driven event into a recognized international T20 competition for retired cricket stars and eligible franchise professionals. With seven teams participating in Season 3, the tournament continues its expansion and offers fans another opportunity to watch several well-known names return to international-style competition.
Attention now turns to the remaining tournament announcements. Organizers are expected to reveal the complete fixture list, participating squads, venues and broadcast details ahead of the October 2026 start, providing fans with a clearer picture of the road to the Season 3 title.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the World Championship of Legends 2026 begin?
The third season of the World Championship of Legends is scheduled to begin in October 2026.
Which teams will play in WCL 2026?
Seven teams have been confirmed: India Champions, Pakistan Champions, England Champions, Australia Champions, South Africa Champions, West Indies Champions and Bangladesh Champions.
Where will WCL 2026 be played?
The tournament will be hosted in England.
What format will WCL 2026 follow?
The competition will be played in the T20 format and is expected to feature a league stage followed by knockout matches.
Have the WCL 2026 fixtures been announced?
No. The complete schedule, venues, squads and broadcast partners are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Who can play in the World Championship of Legends?
The tournament features legendary former international cricketers along with eligible active players who continue to compete in franchise T20 cricket but are not centrally contracted by their national boards.
Which team is making its WCL debut in 2026?
Bangladesh Champions will make their first appearance in the World Championship of Legends during Season 3.
