Cricket League to Launch in China in May 2027
The World Championship of Cricket plans an eight-team Legends T20 franchise league with Dongyuehui Sports.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Olympics
The World Championship of Cricket (WCC) is launching an eight-team Legends T20 franchise league in China, with the inaugural edition planned for May 2027. A Memorandum of Understanding with Dongyuehui Sports was signed in October 2026 by WCC Chairman Praveen Sharma and Dongyuehui Sports Chairman Yonghui Tong.
Why it matters
The initiative is intended to expand cricket's global growth and introduce the sport to new markets and audiences. Cricket's inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games adds to the sport's international profile as the league prepares to launch.
The league will feature eight franchise teams in its inaugural edition planned for May 2027. Details on team composition, player selection and commercial terms have not yet been disclosed.
The players
World Championship of Cricket (WCC)
WCC is the promoter of the Legends T20 franchise league and is also associated with the owners of the World Tennis League, Stars Golf League and World Padel League.
Dongyuehui Sports
Dongyuehui Sports operates the Shaxi Town Cricket Centre in Taicang, Jiangsu Province, and is launching the league in association with WCC.
The details
WCC is partnering with Dongyuehui Sports, which operates the Shaxi Town Cricket Centre in Taicang, Jiangsu Province, to run the franchise-based competition. WCC is promoted by the owners of the World Tennis League, Stars Golf League and World Padel League.
Timeline
October 2026: WCC and Dongyuehui Sports sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
May 2027: Inaugural edition of the Legends T20 league is planned.
Season Trajectory
The Legends T20 league extends cricket's expansion into China ahead of its confirmed place in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The move places the sport in a new market before the global spotlight of the Games.
Fans in China will have a domestic franchise league to follow once the inaugural season begins in May 2027. The eight-team format creates a new competition for cricket supporters and fantasy players to track.
The takeaway
The league offers a clear signal that cricket is building a presence in China ahead of the 2028 Olympics. Readers following the sport's global growth should watch for team announcements and season details as the May 2027 launch approaches.
What happens next
The inaugural edition of the Legends T20 league is planned for May 2027, with the eight franchise teams expected to compete in China.
Further reading
For more on cricket's place on the global sporting calendar, see the Olympics section.
