ICC Denies BCCI's Request to Host WTC Finals in India

WTC Finals to Remain in England Until 2031

Cricket enthusiasts in India were looking forward to experiencing a World Test Championship (WTC) Final on home turf, but they will have to wait longer. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly rejected the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s proposal to host this prestigious Test tournament in India. Instead, England will continue to be the venue for both upcoming and future WTC Finals.

Upcoming Finals Scheduled in England

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is on the verge of finalizing an agreement with the ICC, which will see the WTC Finals held in England in 2027, 2029, and 2031, according to a report from a UK publication. This decision will ensure that England remains the sole host of all WTC finals to date.

The report highlighted that despite India's keen interest in hosting the event, English cricket is close to securing the rights for the next three finals.

The inaugural WTC Final took place in Southampton in 2021, followed by the 2023 final at The Oval in London. Most recently, the 2025 final was hosted at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, where South Africa claimed the title.

The formal announcement regarding this decision is anticipated during the ICC’s Annual Conference in Singapore next month, with plans for the 2027 final to commence shortly after the current edition concludes.

BCCI's Proposal for Rotating Hosts Turned Down

The BCCI had been a strong proponent of rotating the WTC Final among various Test-playing nations to broaden the event's reach. However, the ICC, under the leadership of Chairman Jay Shah, has opted to maintain England as the designated host for the next three finals, citing several logistical and practical reasons.