The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially awarded the hosting rights for the next three editions of the World Test Championship (WTC) finals—those scheduled in 2027, 2029, and 2031—to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), solidifying England as the long-term home of the pinnacle of Test cricket.
Since its inception in 2021, the WTC final has always been held in England: Southampton hosted the inaugural final in 2021, followed by The Oval in London in 2023, and most recently Lord’s hosted the 2025 decider, where South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets in a dramatic contest spanning June 11–14.
At the ICC’s Annual Conference in Singapore, cricket officials ratified the ECB’s role as host. During the meeting, the ECB was praised for its previous success in managing high-profile international finals, the enthusiasm of its fanbase, and its ability to draw large global audiences to England—even when neutral teams are involved. ICC chief Jay Shah and senior members of the board highlighted these strengths as key reasons behind the decision.
Underlining the success of recent tournaments, the 2025 final at Lord’s drew 109,227 spectators over the four-day event and amassed 225 million digital views worldwide—statistics that reinforced England’s reputation as an ideal venue for showcase events in the format.
ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould welcomed the ICC’s decision, stating, “We are absolutely delighted that England and Wales has been chosen to host the next three ICC World Test Championship finals… It’s a testament to the passion that fans in this country have for this treasured format of the game”—also noting the willingness of fans from across the globe to travel to England for these marquee matches.
Despite overtures from India—including from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)—the ICC opted to remain with the ECB as host. India had expressed interest in hosting the 2027 final, but the decision-makers recognised that England’s infrastructure, well-organised operations, and consistent attendance make it a safer and more stable hosting platform for consecutive events.
Moreover, further structural changes in Test cricket are currently under consideration by the ICC. A working group is evaluating the introduction of a two-division structure and an expanded format for the WTC beginning with the 2027–2029 cycle—a significant potential shift in global Test cricket’s competitive model.. While these reforms may evolve the format, they have not affected the decision on host venues.
The ICC’s recent release confirms that the WTC finals scheduled for 2027, 2029, and 2031 are now clearly slated to be hosted in England. This marks a decision for all three future finals in the next WTC cycle, following England’s hosting of the first three editions beginning with 2021.
England’s advantage is not only logistical but also climatic. The English summer during June offers ideal conditions for Test cricket, in contrast to venues like India, where monsoonal disruptions can complicate scheduling. The ICC acknowledges England’s dependable weather window and capacity for large-scale ticketing, even for neutral-team finals, as strengths that contribute to its preference.
Looking ahead, the WTC calendar now extends with clarity at least through 2031, with the ECB firmly in place as the host. As the WTC final continues to mature in prestige, England will remain its enduring venue—cementing tradition and providing consistency for fans, players, and broadcasters alike.
These developments come as part of the ICC’s broader strategy to expand the international game—alongside plans for larger Men’s and Women’s World Cups, a potential two-tier system for Test competitions, and a new global T20 Champions League — all designed to maintain and build momentum in the sport through 2031 and beyond.
Key Takeaways
- England will host the WTC finals in 2027, 2029, and 2031, under a formal mandate from the ICC.
- The ECB’s proven track record, global appeal, and infrastructure were deciding factors in the ICC’s selection process.
- Despite lobbying from India, the ICC unanimously favored England for continuity, weather reliability, and fan engagement.
- Broader structural changes such as a two-division WTC format are being considered but have not impacted the current hosting decision.
