Champions League Twenty20 announces Match Schedule

o12 participating teams divided into four GroupsoRoyal Challengers Bangalore to take on Cape Cobras in first Champions League Twenty20 encounter at BangaloreoTop two teams from each Group will qualify for a four team League pooloThe top two teams from each League pool will qualify for the Semi-Finals in Delhi and HyderabadoThe Grand Final to be played in Hyderabad on October 23

Mumbai, July 30th 2009 - The Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) Governing Council today announced the match schedule for the prestigious tournament, which will be played in New Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore from October 8-23, 2009.

The inaugural edition of the Champions League Twenty20 will see 12 domestic teams compete for the ultimate accolade; Twenty20's best of the best.

The 12 teams will initially be divided into four groups of three teams each. The initial groupings for the 2009 Champions League Twenty20 are as follows:

The Champions League Twenty20 will kick-off in Bangalore on October 8, 2009, with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (India) taking on the Cape Cobras (South Africa) at 8pm at the N. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. The initial group matches will be played from Thursday, October 8, to Wednesday, October 14, 2009 across the three venues.

After the teams play their respective group opponents in the first round, two teams from each group will qualify for the second League Phase. The eight teams progressing to the League Phase will then be clubbed into two new groups and compete in another consolidated round robin phase, with the top four teams from this phase progressing to the semi-finals.

The two semi finals will be played on Wednesday, October 21, in New Delhi and Thursday, October 22, in Hyderabad respectively. The Grand Final will then be held in Hyderabad on Friday, October 23.

The inaugural edition of the Champions League Twenty20 will therefore involve a total of 23 matches spread over 16 days.

Speaking on the occasion, Lalit Modi, Chairman, Champions League Twenty20, said, "The Champions League Twenty20 is the perfect tournament to crown the best-of-the-best in domestic Twenty20 cricket worldwide and will capture the imagination of the sporting public around the world. It is set to provide domestic cricketers with the ultimate talent showcase, one which I am certain will inspire and motivate future generations of club, state and county cricketers, while accelerating the development of the game globally and the careers of those involved. I look forward to watching the best domestic teams with many of the best players in the world involved in truly world-class cricketing action starting October 8."

Manu Sawhney, Managing Director, ESPN STAR Sports, said, "The much awaited Champions League Twenty20 has got teams, players and fans brimming with excitement, and the announcement of match schedules for this October's tournament will certainly raise the levels of anticipation even higher. We are looking forward to showcasing this exciting marquee cricket property across the globe to passionate fans in the most engaging and entertaining manner."

James Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer, Cricket Australia, said, "Cricket fans across Australia and the world are indeed eagerly awaiting the inaugural edition of the Champions League Twenty20. The CLT20 is set to build on the success of the KFC Big Bash Twenty20 competition in Australia and elsewhere in a manner which accelerates the development of cricket globally. I am certain that the CLT20 will undoubtedly benefit interstate cricket in Australia and equivalent levels elsewhere, giving players at that level a chance to hone and perfect their cricketing skills when they come up against the best domestic cricketers from around the world."

Gerald Majola, Chief Executive, Cricket South Africa, said, "The Champions League Twenty20 will electrify global audiences come October, and South African fans will definitely follow their favorite Pro T20 and Indian Premier League teams after the success of Season 2009. I am certain that CLT20 will encourage the pipeline of cricket development from the club, affiliate and franchise levels through to the international arenas. I am sure the global broadcast of the Champions League Twenty20 will ignite the passion of cricket lovers the world over."

The 2009 Champions League Twenty20 will offer teams US$6 million in prize money, more than any other competition in world cricket. The prize money will be shared between the teams and their players.

The CLT20 Governing Council, comprising Lalit Modi, N. Srinivasan, James Sutherland, Niranjan Shah, Dean Kino and Gerald Majola, together with its founding members believes that the significant prize money to be shared by teams and players will ensure that the benefits of the event will foster cricket's development by injecting new funding into domestic cricket and at the same time will handsomely reward domestic cricketers and provide them with a unique opportunity for raising their profile on the highest public stage.

The full match schedule is as follows:

GROUP STAGE

In order to simplify logistics, the teams that move into the next League phase will maintain their position from the Group Stage as listed in the Group Table above

For example; if in Group A the finishing positions on the table-after the three Group A matches - are: 1st = Trinidad & Tobago, 2nd = Deccan Chargers, 3rd = ECB2, then Deccan Chargers will continue to retain position A1 in the League Stage draw, and Trinidad & Tobago will assume position A2.

LEAGUE STAGE - There will be two leagues comprising four teams each

Each team will have to play the teams in its League Group that it did not play during the Group Stage.

LEAGUE POINTS TABLE - The result of the Group Stage matches between the teams that qualify for the League Stage will be carried through to the League Points Table.

SEMI FINALS - The top two teams from each League will qualify for the Semi Finals.

GRAND FINAL - The winner of each Semi Final will qualify for the Grand Final.

For further information contact: