WCL Season 3 to be held in UAE for the first time

The World Championship of Legends (WCL) Season 3 will be held in the United Arab Emirates from October 3 to October 18, 2026. This marks the first time the tournament will be staged outside the United Kingdom, where both the inaugural edition and Season 2 were held.

Seven teams will compete in Season 3: India Champions, Pakistan Champions, England Champions, Australia Champions, South Africa Champions, West Indies Champions, and Bangladesh Champions. Bangladesh Champions are a new addition to the competition this season, expanding the field from the six teams that featured in the first two editions.

Confirmed players for the tournament include Yuvraj Singh, AB de Villiers, DJ Bravo, Shahid Afridi, Moeen Ali, David Warner, and Mohammad Mahmudullah, bringing together a strong group of retired international cricketers from across the globe.

Why is WCL Season 3 moving to the UAE?

The WCL has grown considerably since its launch, with Season 2 drawing 425 million viewers worldwide. The move to the UAE represents the first time the tournament has been taken beyond the United Kingdom, where the first two editions were staged, and signals the organisers' ambition to expand the competition's global footprint.

"Season 3 is going to be very special. We are taking WCL to the UAE for the first time, giving our fans an experience they have never seen before. We promise to bring the biggest names in cricket and some of the biggest surprises yet. Season 3 is going to be our biggest and most exciting season so far," Harshit Tomar said in a press release.

Ajay Devgn, Co-Owner of World Championship of Legends, also shared his thoughts ahead of the third edition. He said: "WCL is more than just a cricket league - it is emotion, nostalgia and entertainment coming together on one platform. Looking forward to Season 3, it’s going to be our boldest season yet."

What is the tournament's background heading into Season 3?

India Champions won the inaugural WCL title by defeating Pakistan Champions in the final. In Season 2, it was South Africa Champions who lifted the trophy, beating Pakistan Champions in the final to claim their first WCL title. Pakistan Champions have now featured in both previous finals without winning the tournament.

The addition of Bangladesh Champions for Season 3 means the competition will feature seven nations for the first time. Complete squad lists for each team are yet to be announced, and the exact fixture schedule and bracket format for the UAE edition have not been released at the time of writing.