Birmingham, England – The World Championship of Legends (WCL) is carving a niche in the global cricketing calendar, offering fans a unique opportunity to witness their beloved former international stars back in competitive action. Designed as a T20 league for retired cricketers, the WCL aims to blend nostalgic appeal with the thrill of high-stakes T20 encounters.
While the tournament recently made headlines with the cancellation of its marquee India vs. Pakistan fixture, it continues its mission to celebrate the enduring legacy of cricketing legends.
What is The World Championship of Legends? A T20 Extravaganza for Retired Stars
The World Championship of Legends is a T20 (Twenty20) cricket tournament that brings together players who have officially retired from international cricket. Its format ensures a fast-paced and exciting brand of cricket, appealing to modern audiences while tapping into the rich history of the game. The WCL offers a platform for these legends to rekindle old rivalries, showcase their timeless skills, and compete for a prestigious title.
The 2025 edition marks the second season of the WCL. The inaugural season in 2024 saw the India Champions triumph over the Pakistan Champions in a thrilling final, setting a high bar for future competitions.
A significant aspect of the WCL’s credibility is its official sanctioning by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). This makes it the only legends league globally to be recognized by a Test-playing nation’s cricket board, ensuring adherence to professional standards and sporting integrity.
The current 2025 tournament is being hosted across four picturesque venues in England: Edgbaston in Birmingham, Headingley in Leeds, Upton Steel at Leicester (Grace Road), and the County Ground at Northampton. This multi-venue approach allows for wider engagement and offers varied playing conditions.
Who Owns the WCL?
The World Championship of Legends is a collaborative venture driven by a forward-thinking leadership team. The league is co-owned by renowned Bollywood megastar Mr. Ajay Devgn, bringing a blend of entertainment and widespread appeal to the venture. Alongside him, Mr. Harshit Tomar serves as the founder and owner of the WCL.
This combination of a celebrated public figure and a dedicated sports entrepreneur underscores the ambition to establish the WCL as a prominent and enduring feature in the world of cricket. Their vision aims to not only entertain but also to honor the contributions of cricketing greats.
WCL 2025: Fixtures and Teams (As of July 20, 2025)
The 2025 season of the WCL features six formidable teams, each representing a major cricketing nation and comprising a squad of celebrated retired players. The participating teams are:
- India Champions
- England Champions
- Australia Champions
- Pakistan Champions
- West Indies Champions
- South Africa Champions
The tournament structure involves a league stage where each team plays against the others once, followed by knockout semi-finals and a final. The season commenced on July 18, 2025, and is set to culminate with the final on August 2, 2025.
WCL 2025 fixtures and Results (as of Sunday, July 20, 2025, 4:44 PM IST):
- Friday, July 18, 2025 (Edgbaston, Birmingham):
- England Champions vs. Pakistan Champions: Pakistan Champions won by 5 runs. (Match 1)
- Saturday, July 19, 2025 (Edgbaston, Birmingham):
- West Indies Champions vs. South Africa Champions: Match tied, South Africa Champions won the bowl-out in an 11-over game (due to rain). (Match 2)
- England Champions vs. Australia Champions: No result due to rain. (Match 3)
- Sunday, July 20, 2025 (Edgbaston, Birmingham):
- India Champions vs. Pakistan Champions: Match CANCELLED. (Match 4)
Upcoming Schedule:
- Tuesday, July 22, 2025 (The County Ground, Northampton):
- India Champions vs. South Africa Champions (12:30 PM local time / 5:00 PM IST)
- England Champions vs. West Indies Champions (4:30 PM local time / 9:00 PM IST)
- Wednesday, July 23, 2025 (The County Ground, Northampton):
- Australia Champions vs. West Indies Champions (4:30 PM local time / 9:00 PM IST)
- Thursday, July 24, 2025 (Grace Road, Leicester):
- England Champions vs. South Africa Champions (4:30 PM local time / 9:00 PM IST)
- Friday, July 25, 2025 (Grace Road, Leicester):
- Pakistan Champions vs. South Africa Champions (4:30 PM local time / 9:00 PM IST)
- Saturday, July 26, 2025 (Headingley, Leeds):
- India Champions vs. Australia Champions (12:30 PM local time / 5:00 PM IST)
- Pakistan Champions vs. West Indies Champions (4:30 PM local time / 9:00 PM IST)
- Sunday, July 27, 2025 (Headingley, Leeds):
- South Africa Champions vs. Australia Champions (12:30 PM local time / 5:00 PM IST)
- India Champions vs. England Champions (4:30 PM local time / 9:00 PM IST)
- Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (Grace Road, Leicester):
- Australia Champions vs. Pakistan Champions (12:30 PM local time / 5:00 PM IST)
- India Champions vs. West Indies Champions (4:30 PM local time / 9:00 PM IST)
Knockout Stage (All at Edgbaston, Birmingham):
- Thursday, July 31, 2025:
- 1st Semi-Final (12:30 PM local time / 5:00 PM IST)
- 2nd Semi-Final (4:30 PM local time / 9:00 PM IST)
- Saturday, August 2, 2025:
- Final (4:30 PM local time / 9:00 PM IST)
Check Recent Updates On World Championship of Legends (WCL)
Where To Watch
In India:
- Television Broadcast:
- You can catch the live telecast of the WCL 2025 matches on the Star Sports Network.
- The matches will be available on:
- Star Sports 1 SD/HD (for English commentary)
- Star Sports 1 Hindi SD/HD (for Hindi commentary)
- Online Streaming:
- For live streaming, all WCL 2025 matches will be available on the FanCode app and website. This is a great option if you prefer to watch on your mobile device, tablet, or computer.
Other Regions:
If you or someone you know is in another part of the world, here’s where they can watch:
- Australia: Kayo Sports and Foxtel
- USA & Canada: Willow TV
- South Africa: SuperSport
- MENA Region: e& and Starz On
So, whether you prefer watching on your TV or streaming on the go, you have comprehensive coverage to enjoy the return of your favorite cricketing legends in the WCL 2025!
The WCL continues to serve as a platform for fans to celebrate the enduring appeal of cricket’s all-time greats, despite the external factors that sometimes influence its schedule.