Local cricket in Bangladesh’s southern port city is preparing for a major structural boost as the Chittagong Franchise Cricket T20 League (CFL) 2026 gears up to launch on Thursday, 22 October. Conceived to sharpen regional competitiveness and offer financial security to emerging players, the six-team tournament officially commenced its off-field proceedings with a player draft and gala night on Monday evening, 19 October, at the Siko Arena near Bahaddarhat.
Organised by Sportify Events, the launch evening featured the formal display of the promotional campaign alongside the grand unveiling of the championship trophy. High-profile figures from regional and national cricket governance attended the event, including Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir, BCB Councillor Shahidur Rahman, and the primary owners of all six competing franchises.
Six franchises will battle for domestic honours in the inaugural edition: Brothers Union, Bengal Stars Cricket Club, NST Sports, Raiyan Sports, Ambiya Sports, and Bakalia Ogroshor Boys Club. Player recruitment was managed using a digital software platform overseen by Draft Commissioner Robiul Hoque Chowdhury. Operating across 13 distinct selection rounds with a 90-second decision timer per pick, each franchise successfully finalized a balanced 15-player squad.
To ensure fair competition and structural depth, every roster incorporates four specific categories of talent: two direct signings, nine Premier League players, three First Division representatives, and one promising young talent designated as a ‘Promising Star’. The drafting pool was restricted strictly to players who competed across the Premier League, First Division, and Second Division over the past two domestic seasons.
Financial remuneration has been structured systematically across player classifications to support regional athletes who frequently face economic uncertainty:
Direct Signings: 40,000 Taka per player
Premier League Class: 25,000 Taka per player
First Division Class: 15,000 Taka per player
Promising Star Class: 10,000 Taka per player
Corporate backing for the tournament has been secured, with Four H Group serving as the primary title sponsor. Broadcasting duties will be handled by NHT Sports, whose Chairman, Syed Mohammad Tansir, confirmed that every match will be televised live to provide maximum exposure for participants.
On-field action will take place at the Birsreshtho Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Sagarika. Organisers have established a double-header format, scheduling two matches daily to maintain high operational intensity. The league aims to serve as a sustainable platform for identifying local talent, offering regional players a stepping stone toward higher levels of competitive cricket.