Top 10 Cricket Leagues in the World (2024)

Not only in India, but cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world, with over two billion followers. Every year, we are treated to a slew of top-tier matches and tournaments, starting from the biggest cricket league, which is the Indian Premier League, to more modern-day competitions like the Hundred, as well as multiple other domestic tournaments thrown in between.

In this guide, we will walk you through some of the world's top cricket leagues and give you a snapshot of each to help you onwards in your online cricket betting journey. Let's get straight to it.

What Is T20 Cricket & Why Are These Leagues Popular?

Twenty20 cricket (also referred to as T20) is a whole new ball game compared to one-day internationals and the longest format of the sport, Test cricket. This short and fast-paced format is typically completed in around three hours. With each innings limited to 20 overs, a T20 game is a boundary fest, as batters look to step on the gas and take the bowlers to the cleaners.

The shifts in momentum during matches in top cricket leagues make it an exciting experience for enthusiasts, with the fast and furious action appealing to a broader audience. The T20 format has brought in new nations into the sport, the two most recent examples being those of the European Cricket League and Major League Cricket in the United States.

Biggest Cricket Leagues in the World

With its international appeal and reach, the depth of cricket is one of its greatest strengths. You owe it to yourself as a sports fan to see what all the fuss is about, as there are several thrilling tournaments, making it among the most exciting sports to watch and place a bet on across leading cricket betting apps and sites.

That out of the way, here is our pick of the top 10 cricket leagues in the world:

1. Indian Premier League (IPL)

Ten city-based franchises annually fight it out to win the world’s most popular cricket league, which attracts a worldwide audience of around 400 million. The Indian Premier League has become a focal point of the cricketing calendar, with millions of fans rallying behind it, billions of dollars pouring in, and some of the finest cricket played in high-pressure games.

Starting with eight teams in 2008 to becoming the richest cricket franchise in the world, the IPL has come a long way, witnessing changes and rule tweaks in its past few editions. The Kolkata Knight Riders thumped Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2024 league final. Although the Mumbai Indians, cricket’s richest club, were the overwhelming favourites, they experienced a shocker of a season, finishing rock bottom.

Essential Reading: IPL Stats (2024)

2. Pakistan Super League (PSL)

Six sides annually battle it out for the biggest accolade in domestic T20 cricket in Pakistan. Teams face each other in a double round-robin group stage format before the knockout fixtures and the big final.

In the 2024 Pakistan Super League, Islamabad United beat the Multan Sultans by two wickets to become the first franchise to win three PSL titles. The Sultans are the richest club in the league and were added as the sixth team in 2020. They claimed their inaugural title the following season but have since lost three consecutive finals.

Seven clubs contest the country's sole franchise-based T20 tournament, although since the inception of the Bangladesh Premier League, there has been plenty of controversy. The recent political upheaval in the South Asian country has impacted the sports sector, with the cricket arena currently experiencing instability, along with uncertainties regarding the BPL franchises.

The league follows a double round-robin format, followed by the eliminator and two qualifiers before the final. In 2024, Fortune Barishal clinched their maiden BPL title by defeating the defending champions, Comilla Victorians.

Eight teams compete in the annual men’s blockbuster T20 league, which has proven to be as popular as the IPL. The concept behind the Big Bash League was to move away from the state team competition to a city-based model, which has since crystallised into a truly famous cricket tournament. Melbourne and Sydney field two sides apiece, alongside Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, and Perth.

The 2023/24 competition was cut short from 61 to 44 matches, with the play-offs trimmed from five to four contests. Brisbane Heat are the current champions, picking up the BBL prize money cheque after defeating the Sydney Sixers in January’s final.

5. Major League Cricket (MLC)

The annual US league currently boasts six franchises, with owners of IPL teams having stakes in four Major League Cricket clubs. There are plans to launch two more soon, followed by another two to reach 10. The MLC, which began with a 19-game season, has been awarded List A status by the International Cricket Council, so it is aiming to expand to 34 games by 2025.

Washington Freedom thumped Francisco Unicorns in July’s 2024 T20 edition, which followed a round-robin format and play-offs. This year, the competition overlapped with the Hundred but is touted to start earlier in 2025.

Essential Read: MLC Stats (2024)

6. The Hundred

This is 100-ball cricket, the game’s newest format, which pits eight men’s teams from cities across England and Wales. The Hundred ripped apart the sport’s rulebook to bring rapid results to matches. Rather than overs, each team has 100 balls to try and score as many runs as possible.

The inaugural competition was deemed a success, despite being hampered by COVID-19 outbreaks. The popularity means that The Hundred appears destined to remain a permanent part of the English season for the long term.

Essential Read: The Hundred Stats (2024)

7. Vitality T20 Blast

The 2024 T20 Blast began at the end of May with 18 first-class county clubs, and the final will be contested at Edgbaston on September 14. Teams face each other in a group system—the nine counties are split into North and South groups—before the knockout quarterfinals. The top clubs from each group earn a quarter-final berth, with the semi-finals followed by the final, which is all
played on Finals Day.

Somerset defeated the Essex Eagles in the 2023 final to claim their second title after an 18-year wait. There are thrills ‘n’ spills of the highest calibre, with a host of international talent fighting it out for top honours to join the coveted T20 Blast winners list.

Essential Read: T20 Blast Stats (2024)

8. Caribbean Premier League (CPL)

A memorable experience is guaranteed with the electric Calypso ambiance when the West Indies host the Caribbean Premier League, the sport's biggest party. It showcases some of the world’s greatest players in T20 competition within a unique carnival-like experience of the Caribbean.

Six teams compete for the coveted 2024 trophy in a double round-robin format followed by play-offs. CPL matches are hosted across various venues in the vibrant region over a period of six weeks. In 2023, the Guyana Amazon Warriors lifted their maiden title by defeating the league's most successful outfit, the Trinbago Knight Riders, in the final.

9. Women’s Premier League (WPL)

After a slow burn for decades, cricket powerhouse India has arrived in style in the women's game, following in the footsteps of pioneers Australia and England.

Five teams played in the 2024 Women’s Premier League, which followed a double round-robin format. The top three clubs qualified for the play-offs, with the leading side automatically reaching the final. The teams in second and third place contested an eliminator, with the winner moving into the final.

In the 2024 edition, the Royal Challengers Bangalore claimed their maiden title following a victory over the Delhi Capitals.

10. International T20 League (ILT20)

The ILT20, one of the newest franchise leagues, is contested between six clubs. There is a strong connection between the competition and the IPL, as a trio of original IPL franchise owners—the Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Mumbai Indians—own three of the ILT20 teams. The other three teams are based out of the UAE: two in Abu Dhabi and one in Sharjah.

There are lenient rules regarding the number of overseas players allowed in the league; nine out of 11 players are permitted to be from outside the Emirates. Other leagues tend to allow a maximum of four players. MI Emirates defeated the Dubai Capitals inside the Dubai International Stadium in February to be crowned the 2024 ILT20 champions.

Top 5 Richest Cricket Leagues in the World

As short-format cricket engages new audiences, franchise-based leagues are tremendously viable commercially. Below, we have listed some of the world's richest cricket leagues (in terms of revenue earned and net worth). Look out for these big money spinners!

1. Indian Premier League

Marked by eye-wateringly high sponsorship deals and top players coming together to participate, it is no surprise that the IPL is the biggest cricket league in the world and by far the richest, too. The inaugural season in 2008 was watched on television by around 200 million Indians and a further 10 million overseas.

Thanks to the IPL, cricket is today at its sharpest and quickest that it has ever been, breaking popularity charts and sending cash registers ringing across the globe. “Bazball” cricket wouldn't have been possible if not for the IPL.

2. The Hundred

This high-octane 100-ball tournament was established in 2021 by the England and Wales Cricket Board. Each innings is limited to a maximum of 100 balls, spanning approximately a little more than an hour.

The Hundred, which has gone on to become one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world, is marked by a few distinct rules and regulations: each team gets to bat 100 balls; a change of ends happens after every 10 balls; a bowler can bowl five or 10 balls in succession; a bowler can bowl a maximum of 20 balls in a game; each team gets its 25-ball powerplay at the very outset, where a maximum of two fielders are permitted outside the 30-yard circle; and each no-ball carries two runs and a free hit.

3. Big Bash League (BBL)

Featuring among the world's biggest cricket leagues, the BBL, established by Cricket Australia in 2011, has been a purveyor of innovations; it famously introduced the bat flip instead of a traditional coin toss to decide which team bats first. The surfaces throughout the BBL season are always prepared to suit both batsmen and bowlers, making the league such a compelling watch.

There are eight city franchises—the Adelaide Strikers, Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers, and Sydney Thunder—that chase the Big Bash League prize money and top honours.

4. International T20 League (ILT20)

Among the five richest cricket leagues is the ILT20, a relative newcomer that only came into fruition in 2023. It was established by the Emirates Cricket Board and swiftly recognised as an official T20 tournament. Despite starting just before the Big Bash in Australia and overlapping with the SA20 in South Africa, the highly lucrative contracts on offer attract A-list overseas players to the UAE.

There are half-a-dozen teams specially created for this cricket league: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors. But these matches do not count towards a player's official T20 domestic career statistics.

5. Women’s Premier League (WPL)

Tapping into a previously uncharted market, the recently launched Women's Premier League has presented itself with a huge advertising opportunity, hot on the heels of the men’s counterpart, the IPL. With an extravagant fanbase now embracing women's cricket, some serious money has been ploughed into the WPL, which has only existed since 2023.

Viacom 18 splashed the cash for the media rights for five seasons, with a value per game of around ₹8.24 crore. The five teams created for this top cricket league are: Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and UP Warriorz.

India’s Top Domestic Cricket Leagues

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has created multiple domestic tournaments to foster and nurture future talent, with the ultimate aim of representing India at the international level. Here’s a rundown of the same:

1. Ranji Trophy

Undoubtedly one of India's most popular cricket leagues on the domestic circuit, the Ranji Trophy is a first-class championship that dates back to the 1930s. The first edition of the competition, named after Ranjitsinhji, the ruler of the erstwhile princely state of Nawanagar, was held in 1934–35.

The Ranji Trophy currently comprises 38 teams (mostly state teams and a few pan-Indian associations like the Railways and Services). It follows a round-robin format, followed by knockout fixtures.

2. Irani Cup

Upon completing 25 years of the Ranji Trophy, the BCCI, in 1960, inaugurated the Irani Cup (formerly the Irani Trophy) in the name of the late Z.R. Irani. In this one-off match, the reigning Ranji Trophy winners take on the Rest of India, comprising players from other state-based teams.

For traditional, starry-eyed enthusiasts, the Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup remain two of the biggest cricket leagues in the world, undisturbed by the glitz and glamour of modern-day cricket.

3. Duleep Trophy

Named after Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji of Nawanagar (nephew of Ranjitsinhji), the first-class competition was initially contested by teams representing India's various geographical zones. However, since 2016–17, only teams chosen by BCCI selectors have played in this domestic competition.

South Zone, with their 14th Duleep Trophy victory, are the current champions.

4. Deodhar Trophy

The Deodhar Trophy (also spelled ‘Devdhar') is a List A domestic cricket league in India named after the grand old man of Indian cricket, Dinkar Balwant Deodhar. It is a 50-over knockout competition now played annually by six zonal teams: Central, East, Northeast, West, South, and North.

In 2023, South Zone defeated East Zone by 45 runs in the final to clinch their ninth Deodhar Trophy championship.

5. Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is one of India's few T20 domestic competitions contested by all 38 Ranji teams.

Named after the famous Indian cricketer Syed Mushtaq Ali, the competition is one of the biggest cricket leagues in India (after the IPL) in the shortest format the world. Yes, it is not much of a money-minter, but that doesn't take any sheen off it, nor does it undermine the massive popularity it has attained over the years.

6. Vijay Hazare Trophy

The Vijay Hazare Trophy is a List A cricket league in India played annually. Named after the legendary batsman Vijay Hazare, the titular championship has lived through various changes in format since the first edition was played in 2002-03.

Richest Cricket Boards in the World

Cricket boards are the ones who orchestrate the sport, ranging from nurturing talent at the grassroot level to showcasing international tournaments and dealing with the purse strings from lucrative broadcasting rights and sponsorship deals. In this section, let's take a look at some of the world's cash-rich cricket boards with very deep pockets:

1. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

The BCCI, established in Chennai in 1928, boasts a net worth of ₹18,860 crore. Its headquarters are in Churchgate, Mumbai. Former all-rounder Roger Binny is the current BCCI president; he was also the first Anglo-Indian of Scottish origin to play cricket for India.

It was in 2007 that the BCCI put together the concept for the highly profitable Indian Premier League, the richest cricket league in the world.

2. Cricket Australia (CA)

CA was formed in 1905, taking over the mantle of the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), and has a net worth of ₹662 crore. Its headquarters are in Jolimont, Melbourne. Michael Bruce Baird, an Australian investment banker and former politician, is the current chairman.

Cricket Australia benefits from lucrative TV broadcasting agreements with networks like Fox Sports for the Big Bash League (BBL), the biggest cricket league in the world after the IPL.

3. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)

The ECB, established in 1997, boasts a net worth of ₹494 crore. It's headquartered at the Lord’s, London. Richard William Thompson, who played club cricket for 35 years, is a sports administrator and the ECB president.

The Hundred and Vitality T20 Blast bring in sizeable revenue; also, broadcasting deals, including partnerships with BBC and Sky Sports, boost the ECB’s coffers.

4. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)

Established in 1949, the PCB's net worth is ₹461 crore. Its headquarters are at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Mohsin Naqvi, a Pakistani politician, is the current PCB chairman.

The nation’s colossal fan base helps the PCB secure major sponsorships, with the Pakistan Super League playing a key role in adding to the revenue.

5. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)

Established in 1972, the BCB's net worth is a sizeable ₹427 crore. Headquartered at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka, the board presidency is currently vacant following a political upheaval in the neighbouring nation.

Bangladesh is set to co-host the 2031 ICC Cricket World Cup with India. The Bangladesh Premier League, media rights, and team sponsorship are all contributors to the BCB’s earnings.

6. Cricket South Africa (CSA)

Established in 2002, the board boasts a net worth of ₹394 crore. Its headquarters are in Johannesburg, Gauteng, and Rihan Richards is the current CSA president.

South Africa co-hosted the 2003 ICC World Cup with Kenya and Zimbabwe and is preparing to host the 2027 edition of the quadrennial tournament along with Namibia and Zimbabwe. An injection of sponsorship for the Betway T20 Challenge has greatly contributed to CSA's riches.

CricketBettingAdvice Final Say

Cricket is one of the most popular sports across the globe, with the shortest format being particularly popular in India, Australia, England, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Caribbean. Other countries have been swift to pick up the pace to introduce league action, resulting in massive traction among audiences and punters alike.

As a cricket buff and betting enthusiast, you can now bet on brisk yet breathtaking league encounters with the help of our tips and match predictions.