World Test Championship 2025-27: Full Schedule, Format & Key Series Announced
Test cricket’s biggest showdown is back — and it’s bigger than ever. The ICC has officially released the 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) schedule, setting the stage for another two-year journey of elite red-ball contests across the globe.
After the thrilling 2023–25 cycle that ended with South Africa lifting their first WTC title, attention now shifts to the third edition of this high-stakes championship. Nine of the world’s top Test-playing nations will once again battle it out across 27 bilateral series and 71 matches in pursuit of a spot in the coveted final.
Whether you’re a passionate fan tracking your team’s path to the top or a cricket analyst breaking down matchups, the WTC 2025-27 full schedule offers plenty to unpack — from blockbuster India vs Australia clashes to historic rivalries like The Ashes and Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
In this post, we explore everything you need to know about the 2025–27 WTC cycle:
✅ Confirmed fixtures
✅ Team-by-team breakdown
✅ Format and points system
✅ Key series to watch
✅ Schedule highlights & FAQs
Let’s dive into what the next chapter of Test cricket looks like.
Cycle Overview: Dates, Matches & Format
- Start Date: June 17, 2025
- End Date: June 2027, with the Final scheduled at Lord’s
- Matches: 71 league-stage matches across 27 series
- Teams: 9 ICC full-member nations — India, Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies
- Format: Each team plays six series—three home and three away; series span 2–5 Tests
Points System & League Standings
- Same points-per-result format:
- Win = 12, Tie = 6, Draw = 4, Loss = 0
- Teams are ranked by percentage of points (PCT), ensuring fairness despite different match totals
- Top two teams by PCT will compete in a one-off Final at Lord’s in mid‑2027
Opening Fixtures & High-Profile Series
- June 17, 2025: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (2 Tests, Galle) marks the cycle’s start
- June 20 – August 4, 2025: England vs India (5 Tests across Leeds, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, The Oval)
- June–July 2025: West Indies host Australia (3 Tests, including day-night at Sabina Park)
WTC 2025-27 full schedule
| Series No. | Home Team | Away Team | Tests | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sri Lanka | Bangladesh | 2 | Jun 17–21, 2025 |
| 2 | West Indies | Australia | 3 | Jun–Jul 2025 |
| 3 | England | India | 5 | Jun–Aug 2025 |
| 4 | Bangladesh | Pakistan | 2 | Mid‑2025 |
| 5 | Pakistan | South Africa | 2 | Mid‑2025 |
| 6 | New Zealand | Sri Lanka | 2 | Late 2025 |
| 7 | South Africa | Bangladesh | 2 | Late 2025 |
| 8 | Australia | New Zealand | 4 | Nov–Dec 2025 |
| 9 | New Zealand | India | 2 | Early 2026 |
| 10 | India | West Indies | 2 | Early 2026 |
| 11 | Pakistan | New Zealand | 2 | Early 2026 |
| 12 | Australia | England (Ashes) | 5 | Nov 2025–Jan 2026 |
| 13 | Sri Lanka | India | 2 | Mid‑2026 |
| 14 | West Indies | Sri Lanka | 2 | Mid‑2026 |
| 15 | South Africa | England | 3 | Mid‑2026 |
| 16 | India | Australia | 5 | Late 2026 |
| 17 | England | Pakistan | 3 | Late 2026 |
| 18 | Bangladesh | England | 2 | Early 2027 |
| 19 | South Africa | Australia | 3 | Early 2027 |
| 20 | West Indies | Pakistan | 2 | Early 2027 |
| 21 | Bangladesh | West Indies | 2 | Early 2027 |
| 22 | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | 2 | Early 2027 |
| 23 | New Zealand | England | 3 | Early 2027 |
| 24 | Bangladesh | Australia | 2 | Early 2027 |
| 25 | India | South Africa | 2 | Early 2027 |
| 26 | New Zealand | West Indies | 3 | Early 2027 |
| 27 | Sri Lanka | South Africa | 2 | Early 2027 |
🇮🇳 Following Team India’s Journey in WTC 2025–27?
Get the full list of fixtures, venues, opponents, and key series for Team India in the World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.
👉 View India’s Full WTC ScheduleWorld Test Championship Fixtures – Full Team Fixture Breakdown (2025–27 Cycle)
| Team | Total Tests | Home Series | Away Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 22 | ENG (5), NZ (4), BAN (2) | WI (3), SA (3), IND (5) |
| England | 21 | IND (5), NZ (3), PAK (3) | AUS (5), SA (3), BAN (2) |
| India | 18 | WI (2), SA (2), AUS (5) | ENG (5), SL (2), NZ (2) |
| New Zealand | 16 | WI (3), IND (2), SL (2) | ENG (3), AUS (4), PAK (2) |
| South Africa | 14 | AUS (3), BAN (2), ENG (3) | PAK (2), IND (2), SL (2) |
| West Indies | 14 | AUS (3), SL (2), PAK (2) | IND (2), NZ (3), BAN (2) |
| Pakistan | 13 | SA (2), SL (2), NZ (2) | BAN (2), WI (2), ENG (3) |
| Sri Lanka | 12 | BAN (2), IND (2), SA (2) | WI (2), PAK (2), NZ (2) |
| Bangladesh | 12 | PAK (2), WI (2), ENG (2) | SL (2), SA (2), AUS (2) |
Australia leads with 22 Tests, while Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have 12 each—the fewest
🧭 New to the World Test Championship?
Understand the full WTC format, how the points system works, and what it takes for teams to reach the final.
👉 Read: World Test Championship 101Four-Day Test Proposal
In anticipation of the 2027–29 cycle, the ICC is mulling over allowing four-day Tests to make series more manageable for smaller nations—while preserving five-day Tests for marquee encounters like the Ashes and Border‑Gavaskar Trophy.
⏳ Test Cricket Shake-Up?
The ICC is seriously considering a major change: Four-Day Tests could soon become reality in future WTC cycles. What does this mean for the game?
👉 Read the Full StoryFinal Takeaways
- The WTC 2025-27 full schedule is confirmed, with 71 Tests over 27 series.
- Sri Lanka–Bangladesh set the opening match on June 17, 2025.
- England vs India (5 Tests) makes a blockbuster early-season match-up.
- Australia leads fixtures with 22 Tests; Bangladesh & Sri Lanka have the fewest at 12.
- WTC Final slated for mid‑2027 at Lord’s.
- Strategic proposal: ICC may approve four-day Tests from the next cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the ICC World Test Championship?
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is a two-year league competition for Test cricket, introduced by the ICC to bring greater context and competitiveness to bilateral Test series. It culminates in a one-off final between the top two teams.
Q2. How many teams participate in the World Test Championship?
Nine full-member Test-playing nations participate in each WTC cycle:
🇮🇳 India, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🏴 England, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, 🇧🇩 Bangladesh, and 🇼🇸 West Indies.
Q3. How does the points system work in WTC 2025–27?
Each match awards points based on results:
- Win = 12 points
- Tie = 6 points
- Draw = 4 points
- Loss = 0 points
The rankings are based on the percentage of points earned (PCT) to ensure fairness since not all teams play the same number of matches.
Q4. How many Test series does each team play?
Each team plays six series (3 home and 3 away) during the WTC cycle. Each series consists of 2 to 5 Tests, depending on mutual agreements between cricket boards.
Q5. When does the WTC 2025-27 cycle begin?
The WTC 2025–27 cycle begins on June 17, 2025, with a two-Test series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle.
Q6. When and where will the WTC 2027 Final be played?
The WTC Final is scheduled for mid-2027 at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, depending on weather and logistical arrangements.
Q7. Which teams are playing the most Test matches in WTC 2025-27?
- Australia leads with 22 Test matches, followed by
- England with 21, and
- India with 18.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have the fewest, with 12 each.
Q8. Has the ICC proposed any changes for future WTC cycles?
Yes, the ICC is exploring the introduction of four-day Test matches (instead of five) for certain lower-profile series starting from the 2027–29 cycle, to help smaller cricket nations manage resources better.
Q9. Who won the previous WTC editions?
| Cycle | Winner | Runner-Up | Venue (Final) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–21 | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 🇮🇳 India | Southampton, England |
| 2021–23 | 🇦🇺 Australia | 🇮🇳 India | The Oval, England |
| 2023–25 | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇦🇺 Australia | Lord’s, England |
India has reached two consecutive finals but hasn’t won the trophy yet.
Q10. How is the WTC different from regular Test series?
While regular bilateral Test series award ICC ranking points, WTC series also contribute to a global league table. Each match and series has heightened significance, as teams compete for a place in the WTC Final.
Q11. Where can I watch the WTC 2025-27 matches?
Broadcast rights vary by country, but major broadcasters like Star Sports, Sony Sports, Sky Sports, Willow TV, SuperSport, and ICC.tv stream the matches depending on your region.
Q12. Where can I find the WTC 2025-27 full schedule?
You can explore the complete series-wise and team-wise breakdown in our dedicated post:
📅 WTC 2025-27 full schedule – Click Here
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