New Delhi – Airtel, Asia’s leading integrated telecom services provider, signed up as the title sponsor of Champions League Twenty20 for a period of five years starting with the inaugural season in 2009. Airtel signed the deal with ESPN STAR Sports, the commercial partners of Champions League T20. The first edition of the Champions League will be played in India starting 8 October 2009. A total of 12 teams from 7 test playing nations will participate in the inaugural edition. The 16 day league will have 23 Twenty20 matches. As part of this deal, Airtel will have rights to on ground title sponsorship for a period of five years. The tournament would be played across three venues – Bangalore, New Delhi and Hyderabad and will now be called Airtel Champions League Twenty20.