England to Host Next Three WTC Finals: ICC Confirms
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced that England will host the next three World Test Championship (WTC) Finals—in 2027, 2029, and 2031. This decision was finalized during the ICC’s Annual Conference held recently in Singapore.
The move reinforces England’s reputation as a reliable venue for high-profile Test matches. According to the ICC, the hosting rights were awarded based on England’s proven success in managing previous WTC finals.
England’s Proven Hosting History
England has already been the venue for all three completed WTC finals to date. The inaugural final in 2021, originally set for Lord’s, was moved to Southampton due to COVID-19 restrictions. India and New Zealand contested that match, with the Kiwis emerging as champions.
In 2023, the final returned to London, with The Oval hosting the clash between Australia and India. Australia lifted the mace after a dominant win. The 2025 WTC Final is scheduled to take place at Lord’s, marking the prestigious ground’s first official WTC final after the pandemic disrupted the original plan.
Now, with hosting rights secured for 2027, 2029, and 2031, England remains the central hub for the pinnacle event in Test cricket.
Supporting Afghan Women Cricketers
Alongside the WTC announcement, the ICC revealed a new programme aimed at supporting displaced Afghan women in cricket. This initiative is a joint effort involving the ICC, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and Cricket Australia.
This initiative will provide structured opportunities, including training, domestic playing exposure, and inclusion in global ICC women’s events. The goal is to ensure these players are not left behind, especially ahead of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India and the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England.
According to the ICC, this is a step towards maintaining inclusivity and growth for women’s cricket, particularly for players facing challenging personal and national circumstances.
Two New Associate Members
In another significant development, the ICC welcomed two new Associate Members to its global cricket family:
- Timor-Leste Cricket Federation
- Zambia Cricket Union
This takes the total number of Associate Members to 110, underlining cricket’s growing reach across continents. Both nations have shown consistent development in grassroots and domestic cricket, meeting the criteria for Associate status.
The ICC aims to continue expanding the game globally and supporting member nations with development funding, training, and participation in ICC regional tournaments.
Looking Ahead
The decision to award England the next three WTC Finals is not just about tradition. It reflects the country’s ability to host elite-level cricket with world-class facilities, crowd engagement, and media reach. Lord’s and The Oval are likely venues again, with Edgbaston also in contention.
As Test cricket continues to evolve through the WTC model, the finals are becoming a prestigious global event—drawing fans, sponsors, and broadcasters from around the world.
England’s continued role as host promises to deliver memorable matches and set new standards for future editions.
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