England to Host World Test Championship Finals Until 2031
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is close to finalizing a deal with the International Cricket Council (ICC) that will see England hold the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC) for the next three editions, lasting until 2031. The ICC is expected to officially announce this decision during their annual conference in July.
Reports suggest that the ECB has already received informal confirmation from the ICC. While India had shown interest in hosting the finals, England has become the preferred choice due to its strong ability to attract large crowds, even for neutral Test matches.
England has hosted the first three WTC finals, including the ongoing final in 2025 at Lord’s, London, featuring South Africa and Australia. The very first final, which took place in 2021 between India and New Zealand, was held in Southampton under Covid-19 restrictions. The 2023 final between India and Australia was staged at The Oval in London, and the current final has already seen packed crowds, highlighting the match’s growing importance and interest.
With this new arrangement, England is set to host the first six WTC finals. The timing of the finals, typically scheduled in June, plays in England’s favor. The early summer months provide a great slot in cricket’s busy global calendar for such a major event.
Why Not Host Elsewhere?
However, the choice of venue and timing has faced some scrutiny. Rohit Sharma, the former captain of India, recently questioned the decision to hold the final in June, suggesting that it could be moved to other months and venues. He remarked, “Why not play it in March? June is not the only option for the final.”
Australian captain Pat Cummins has also stirred discussion by suggesting that the hosting rights could be given to the winners of the previous WTC edition, adding more fuel to the conversation about the finals’ location.
Additionally, there are calls to change the WTC finals into a three-match series, a format championed by former India captain Virat Kohli back in 2021. Steve Smith, speaking ahead of the current finals, expressed support for the idea, although he acknowledged the difficulties of fitting it into an already packed schedule. “A three-match series would be great if we could make it work,” he said.
The next cycle of the World Test Championship is set to begin on June 20, when England faces India in the first of a five-match series at Headingley in Leeds.
