Underpinned by the fourth edition of the ICC Women’s Championship (IWC), the International Cricket Council has unveiled a comprehensive women’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2025–2029, which includes several tri-series in advance of significant ICC events.
About 400 matches have been confirmed for the second women’s FTP, which will run from May 2025 to April 2029. It is the result of a collaborative effort among its members with assistance from the ICC and attempts to clarify international dates across all three international forms.
There is a significant increase in all forms compared to the previous cycle (2022–2025), and this FTP will host an ICC tournament annually, with the first six-team Champions Trophy set for 2027. Additional ICC tournaments within this time frame include the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2025 (India), the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026 (United Kingdom), and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028 (host to be determined).
Since its launch in 2014, the Women’s Championship has played a significant role in promoting more international cricket. With Zimbabwe joining the 10 nations competing in the current third edition, which also for the first time includes Bangladesh and Ireland, the number of participating teams has increased to 11.
All teams will compete against eight other teams in the Women’s Championship, including four home and four away series, much like in the current edition. The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2029 will provide context by offering a qualification pathway for the 132 ODIs that will be played in 44 series of three matches each. Members will also have the opportunity to club matches of other forms with those trips.
Members have mutually agreed to plan tri-series to prepare for and precede ICC competitions. In a three-team T20I competition ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, England will host India and New Zealand, while Ireland will host Pakistan and the West Indies. Other Members who are slated to hold tri-series in 2027 and 2028, respectively, include Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
A multi-format series that includes ODIs and T20Is has been agreed to by Australia, England, India, South Africa, and the West Indies, and members have also scheduled extra Test matches this time. With two series against England, India, and South Africa, plus one against the West Indies, Australia will play the most of these.
Wasim Khan, the General Manager of Cricket at the ICC, stated that the women’s game would benefit from the announcement of a robust FTP.
With great pleasure, we present the new Women’s FTP. The Women’s Cricket World Cup 2029 will still be framed and accessed through the ODIs in the Women’s Championship. For clubs and fans alike, the FTP offers clarity. “We are happy to see Zimbabwe added as an eleventh team to the new edition of the IWC,” he stated.
It is encouraging that Member Boards have organised tri-series to get ready for ICC events and are eager to participate in a variety of formats.
Also Read: ICC extends Chair and Director’s tenure to three years, of two terms
The Members’ endeavour to offer a contextualised and well-balanced schedule will further improve the women’s game. He continued, “We appreciate Member Boards’ dedication and cooperation in completing the FTP.
India
