e ICC’s annual conference in Singapore, the International Cricket Council confirmed that
England will host the next three World Test Championship (WTC) finals in 2027, 2029, and 2031.
While the decision extends England’s run as host, it came despite a strong bid and growing interest
from India—the world’s largest cricketing nation and the heartbeat of global Test viewership.
India had officially shown interest in hosting the 2027 WTC final, a move that was widely supported
by fans and former cricketers alike. Having featured in two of the last three WTC finals (2021 and
2023), India’s consistent performance and unparalleled fanbase have played a vital role in the
championship’s rising global profile.
The three previous WTC finals were hosted in England:
2021 – Southampton (New Zealand vs. India)
2023 – The Oval (Australia vs. India)
2025 – Lord’s (South Africa vs. Australia)
While England’s infrastructure and June scheduling convenience were cited as key reasons for
continuity, India’s influence on the format’s success is undeniable. The ICC acknowledged that
Indian audiences continue to drive global viewership numbers, with Indian fans forming the largest
share of stadium attendance—even when matches are hosted overseas.
The decision sparked debate, with many experts and former players like Rohit Sharma calling for
more equitable and rotational hosting opportunities. Australia’s Pat Cummins also echoed the
sentiment, advocating for a three-match series format to ensure fairness and competitiveness.
Posts on social media reflected mixed reactions, with several voices emphasizing India’s rightful
place as a future host. “If India is good enough to be in every final, it’s surely good enough to host
one,” one popular post read.
Cricketing stakeholders around the world agree that India’s infrastructure, massive fan
engagement, and modern stadiums like those in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Chennai make it an
ideal future host. The country’s capability to stage major international tournaments—such as the
2023 ODI World Cup—has only reinforced its readiness.
While the ICC’s current decision favors familiarity and logistics, the call to globalize the WTC by
bringing it to India is growing louder. With India at the heart of world cricket, it’s only a matter of
time before the WTC final comes home.
In other discussions at the conference, the ICC also addressed broader issues including support for
displaced Afghan women cricketers and governance reforms for USA Cricket, highlighting the
sport’s ongoing global development.