General
IPL 2026 Faces New Challenge as The Hundred and SA20 Surge Ahead
IPL 2026 starts with fresh challenges as England's The Hundred and South Africa's SA20 surpass it in viewer engagement, signaling a shift in T20 cricket's global landscape.
AS
Ajay S
March 24, 2026 · 3 min read
(Image: Dumtika Editorial)
Nobody tells the IPL it needs to do better. Except the world's cricketers just did.
Eight days before the 2026 season kicks off on March 28, the World Cricketers' Association (WCA) released its global rankings of T20 franchise leagues and the IPL landed third. Not in viewership or revenue, but in player welfare and rights. England's The Hundred topped the list at 75.2 points, SA20 came second at 68, and the IPL scored 62.6. The world's richest league pays the best full marks there but on dispute resolution and players' right to organise collectively, it's looking up at two younger tournaments.
The Competition
The Hundred, heading into its sixth season, is no longer a quirky experiment. IPL heavyweights have bought in: Reliance Industries (Mumbai Indians) now owns 49% of MI London, RPSG Group holds 70% of Manchester Super Giants, and Sun TV Network owns 100% of Sunrisers Leeds. Stacked rosters, Sky Sports' cinematic broadcast with minimal ad-clutter it's a viewing experience that makes the IPL's telecast feel dated.
SA20, just four seasons old with all six teams owned by IPL franchise groups, has already produced a dynasty. Sunrisers Eastern Cape have won three of the four titles in 2023, 2024, and 2026 with MI Cape Town's 2025 win the only interruption. SuperSport's world-class production has set a new benchmark for T20 broadcasts. Cricket's best-kept secret isn't a secret anymore.
The IPL's Growing Pains
The IPL isn't broken, but fatigue is real. This season expands to 84 matches across two months. The Hundred wraps up in under four weeks. SA20 is a quick burst. The IPL feels like that three-hour Bollywood movie where the hero and heroine just won't get married already.
And the ad breaks are killing the mood. Strategic timeouts feel less "strategic" and more "let's squeeze in four more sponsors." Fans aren't just annoyed, they're switching tabs.
What's New in 2026?
The mini auction in Abu Dhabi brought some fireworks. Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas player in IPL history at ₹25.20 crore. Sanju Samson moved to CSK in "the trade of the decade," fresh off a Player of the Tournament effort at the T20 World Cup. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lifting their maiden title in 2025 after 18 years open against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The Verdict
The IPL remains financially untouchable an estimated $8.1 billion valuation with franchise sales reportedly clearing the billion-dollar mark. But the WCA rankings are a reminder that being the richest doesn't automatically make you the best.
Will the IPL still pull massive numbers? Of course. We'd watch snails play cricket if they wore RCB and CSK jerseys. But for the first time, the "King of Leagues" is being asked to earn its crown in ways that go beyond the bank balance. And that might just make this the best season yet.
