According to reports, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided not to allow the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to host the World Test Championship (WTC) Final in England for the upcoming three editions, 2027, 2029, and 2031.
The WTC has had two champions since its inception in 2019: Australia in 2023 at The Oval and New Zealand in 2021 in Southampton. The iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground is hosting the current 2025 final between South Africa and Australia. The BCCI has made repeated calls for the final to be rotated among other cricket-playing nations, despite the fact that the finals have attracted high viewership and ticket sales.
The ICC has already notified the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) of its plan to hold the WTC finals in England for the upcoming three cycles, according to a report by The Telegraph UK. According to reports, this decision was made in spite of India’s strong interest and talks of perhaps switching the location among cricketing nations.
“Despite India’s desire to host the premier event, English cricket is almost certain to agree to host the next three World Test Championship finals. Since its launch in 2019, the World Test Championship (WTC) has gone through three two-year cycles, each of which ended with a final held in June in England. The ICC’s Annual Conference in Singapore next month is anticipated to confirm the decision, but the ECB is anticipated to start organising the 2027 WTC final as soon as the current one between Australia and South Africa concludes, according to the article.
Rohit-Cummins’ thoughts on the WTC Final venue rotation
Following India’s loss in the 2023 WTC final, Rohit expressed his worries, asking why the tournament must always take place in June in England, particularly so soon after the Indian Premier League (IPL). Prior to the 2025 final, Pat Cummins of Australia supported the idea to switch venues. He asked if the current champions could host the WTC final or if it could be cycled around the world.
However, ICC has chosen to hold the WTC finals in England because to the logistical convenience and huge commercial incentives.
It is anticipated that preparations for the 2027 edition will start shortly after the current final concludes. It’s interesting to note that the national team has never advanced to any of the three WTC finals that England has hosted.
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