Looks like the World Test Championship Final isn’t leaving England anytime soon. The ICC made it official this week, announcing that the country will host the next three title matches in 2027, 2029, and 2031.
With this move, England continues its streak of hosting every WTC final since the tournament’s debut back in 2021.
The decision follows last month’s match at Lord’s, where South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets in the third WTC final. While there had been some speculation that India might take over hosting duties from 2027, the ICC opted to stick with England, crediting the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for consistently delivering successful events.
“We are absolutely delighted that England and Wales has been chosen to host the next three ICC World Test Championship Finals,” said ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould. “It’s a testament to the passion that fans in this country have for this treasured format of the game and the willingness of supporters from around the world to travel here.”
The finals are set for early June, shortly after the IPL wraps up—timed to avoid clashing with other major international fixtures.
The ability to sell out venues for neutral fixtures appears to have been a deciding factor. The Kia Oval in London drew a full house for Australia’s win over India in 2023. Even in 2021, with strict biosecure protocols at the Hampshire Bowl, there was considerable fan engagement despite limited access.
Speaking last month, Gould said, “We don’t think that we’ve got any absolute right to be the continual host… but we will sell it out. We’re probably the only member nation within the ICC that could deliver that.”
He acknowledged interest from other nations in hosting future finals but cautioned that moving the event carries risks. “The worry is if you move it, end up with two neutral teams, and don’t get a crowd, the whole thing could devalue and deflate pretty quickly.”
There is no confirmation yet on whether Lord’s will continue to serve as the venue for future finals. While Lord’s hosted the most recent WTC final and provided what some described as an unmatched atmosphere, the ICC has not officially designated it as the default location for future editions.
The announcement cements England’s role as a central hub for Test cricket, particularly for marquee global fixtures. The next WTC cycle will now build toward a final that, once again, brings teams and fans back to the heart of cricket’s traditional home.
