Royal Challengers, Bangalore will take on Cape Cobras, South Africa in the opening match of the Champions League Twenty20 tournament. The much awaited 16-day tournament will kick off from 8th October at Bangalore.

Airtel has signed a deal of Rs 170 crore with ESPN-STAR sports and it would be the title sponsor of the cash rich tournament for next five years. ESPN-STAR sports are the commercial partner of Champions League T20.

The grand finale will be hosted by Hyderabad on October 23 and the winner will be awarded with a cash reward of $3 million. Eight teams from League 1 will advance to the League 2 in which all teams will be divided into two groups, League A and B.

The top two teams from each league will qualify for the semifinals of the tournament. All teams will carry their points and positions from League 1 to League 2.

Lalit Modi, Chairman, Champions League Twenty20, said that all cricket fans have been eagerly waiting for this tournament and it would provide a platform for the domestic cricketers to prove their talent.