BCCI Loses Bid as England Gets WTC Final Hosting Till 2031

Exciting news for cricket fans around the world — England has officially been chosen to host the next three ICC World Test Championship (WTC) finals. This decision is a major development and has come as a disappointment to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which was hoping to bring the prestigious event to Indian soil starting in 2027.

The final decision was confirmed during the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) annual meeting held in Singapore earlier this week. After several months of discussions and planning, the ICC gave the hosting rights to England for the 2027, 2029, and 2031 WTC finals. The main reason behind this decision was England’s proven ability to successfully organize such large cricket events, including the earlier WTC finals.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has already hosted the first three WTC finals, and they received strong praise for how well those matches were managed. From excellent stadium facilities to strong ticket sales and smooth match operations, England has set a high standard. These achievements played a major role in the ICC’s decision to stick with a tried-and-tested host.

Richard Gould, the Chief Executive of the ECB, shared his excitement after the announcement. “We are absolutely delighted that England and Wales have been chosen to host the next three ICC World Test Championship Finals,” he said. “It shows the trust the ICC has in our ability to deliver great cricketing experiences.”

The BCCI, led by its former secretary Jay Shah, had been trying to convince the ICC to move the finals to India starting from 2027. Many believed that hosting the finals in India would make commercial sense, given the country’s massive cricket fan base and financial influence in world cricket.

However, while the ICC did consider this, several practical reasons worked against India’s bid. The main issue is the timing of the WTC final — it takes place in June, which is the monsoon season in many parts of India. In contrast, June offers much better weather conditions in England, making it more suitable for uninterrupted Test cricket.

There was speculation that the ICC might move the finals to India because of the strong financial and marketing opportunities there. India’s love for cricket is unmatched, and big matches in Indian stadiums almost always sell out. But in the end, logistical and climate concerns outweighed those possibilities.

Hosting a WTC final requires not only commercial success but also reliable infrastructure, crowd control, media coverage, and favorable playing conditions. England checks all those boxes. Plus, even when neutral teams play at English venues, the matches still attract large crowds — a rare feat in international cricket.

The ICC has not yet officially announced which stadiums will host the next finals, but Lord’s Cricket Ground in London is currently the favorite. It hosted the 2025 WTC final and received positive feedback for its lively atmosphere and excellent crowd management.

Lord’s is often referred to as the “Home of Cricket” and is considered one of the most iconic venues in the sport. Its historic charm and modern facilities make it an ideal location for high-profile matches like the WTC final.

Although England has secured the hosting rights for the next three cycles, the story may not end there. With the global nature of cricket expanding and many fans and experts calling for more diversity in hosting locations, there’s still a possibility that India could host a WTC final in the future.

The BCCI is unlikely to give up easily. As the most powerful cricket board in the world, both financially and politically, it will probably continue to lobby the ICC in upcoming years. India’s infrastructure, growing international stadiums, and fan enthusiasm are all strong reasons why the country remains a top candidate for hosting future editions of the final.

For now, England remains the official home of the World Test Championship finals. With its favorable weather, iconic venues, and excellent hosting history, the ICC has shown faith in the ECB’s ability to deliver world-class cricket experiences.

But the conversation around expanding the locations of major ICC events is far from over. As cricket continues to grow in popularity across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, more countries — especially India — will likely push harder to bring such events closer to home.

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