The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will host the next three World Test Championship (WTC) finals, scheduled for 2027, 2029, and 2031. This decision was announced at the ICC Annual Conference in Singapore this week.
All three previous WTC finals—2021 (Southampton), 2023 (The Oval), and 2025 at Lord’s—took place in England. The 2025 final was a major event, with South Africa defeating Australia by five wickets at Lord’s from June 11–14. The match drew a record crowd of 109,227 over four days and generated 225 million digital views, showcasing the strong global appeal of Test cricket.
ICC praised England’s successful track record in hosting the finals. During the conference, ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould said the decision reflects the country’s passion for Test cricket and its ability to attract fans worldwide. The ICC also thanked Lord’s and the ECB for their role in staging the 2025 final.
The choice marks a setback for other aspirants, including India, which had expressed interest in hosting from 2027 onward. ICC Chair Jay Shah highlighted the importance of multicultural England as a neutral venue that draws diverse fan bases, especially during the English summer window, avoiding monsoon challenges faced by other nations.
Looking ahead, the ECB and ICC plan to build on the legacy of past finals to enhance stadium experience, global broadcasting, and fan engagement. With England confirmed as host for another three cycles, Test cricket’s future looks bright ahead of 2031.