The ICC introduced the World Test Championship (WTC) in 2019 with the Ashes Series. They wanted to bring more meaning and structure to the longest part of the game. Every two years, nine of the world’s top cricketing nations battle it out across bilateral series. They earn points along the way, before the top two sides face off in a one-off final.
The upcoming cycle – WTC 2025-27 – is the fourth edition of this global red ball event. It began on 17 June 2025 with Sri Lanka hosting Bangladesh in Galle. It promised two years of intense rivalries, historic series, and the drama that only cricket can deliver. The cycle will culminate in a grand final at Lod’s, London, in June 2027.
WTC 2025–2027 Structure & Format
The ICC has retained the same structure as the previous cycles. They keep the tournament balanced but competitive. Here is a detailed breakdown of its format.
| Component | Details |
| Event | ICC World Test Championship |
| Tournament Format | League stage (bilateral Test series) followed by a Final |
| Cricket Format | Test cricket (traditional five-day format) |
| Participating Teams | 9 Full ICC Members: India, Australia, England, South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies |
| League Matches | 27 series comprising 71 league-stage Tests |
| Series per Team | Each team plays 6 series total: 3 at home, 3 away |
| Series Length | Series range from 2 to 5 Tests |
| Points System | – Win: 12 points- Tie: 6 points- Draw: 4 points- Loss: 0 points |
| Over-Rate Penalties | 1 point deducted per over short of the required minimum |
| Ranking Method | The series ranges from 2 to 5 Tests |
| Final Qualification | Teams are ranked by Percentage of Points Won (PCT) to ensure fairness across varying series lengths |
| WTC Final Venue | Lord’s, London, scheduled for June 2027 |
WTC 2025-27 Schedule Highlights
The 2025-27 WTC Cycle is packed with morgue contests, historic tours, and a balanced calendar to keep fans engaged across two years. Below are the standout fixtures and milestones to watch:
| Timeframe | Series | Venue / Notes |
| 17–21 June 2025 | Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (1st Test) | Galle International Stadium |
| 25–29 June 2025 | Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (2nd Test) | Colombo (SSC) |
| 20–24 June 2025 | England vs India (1st Test) | Headingley, Leeds |
| 2–6 July 2025 | England vs India (2nd Test) | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
| 10–14 July 2025 | England vs India (3rd Test) | Lord’s, London |
| 23–27 July 2025 | England vs India (4th Test) | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| 31 July – 4 August 2025 | England vs India (5th Test) | The Oval, London |
| Late June – mid-July 2025 | West Indies vs Australia (3 Tests) | Bridgetown (Kensington Oval), Grenada, Kingston (D/N on final Test) |
| October 2025 | Pakistan vs South Africa (2 Tests) | Pakistan home series |
| October 2025 | India vs West Indies (2 Tests) | India home series |
| November 2025 | India vs South Africa (2 Tests) | India home series |
| November 2025 – January 2026 | Australia vs England (The Ashes, 5 Tests) | Australia home series |
| Mid-2026 | Sri Lanka vs India (2 Tests) | Sri Lanka home series |
| Mid-2026 | West Indies vs Sri Lanka (2 Tests) | West Indies home series |
| Mid-2026 | South Africa vs England (3 Tests) | South Africa home series |
| Late 2026 / early 2027 | India vs Australia (Border–Gavaskar Trophy, 5 Tests) | India home series |
Why Lord’s Remain The Finals Home
Lord’s Cricket Ground in London is known as the “Home of Cricket”. It continues to serve as the final venue for the ICC World Test Championship. It includes the upcoming editions of the WTC Championship in 2027, 2029, and 2031. The ICC highlights England’s world-class infrastructure and neutral status. It also showcased the deep test cricket legacy as the key reason behind this consistent choice,
Many fans and experts have suggested rotating finals across nations. This way, it will spread the game’s reach. However, the Lord’s brings unmatched prestige, tradition, and historical aura. Imagine a victory at this iconic ground is not just about lifting a trophy. It’s about etching a team’s name into cricket folklore on the sport’s brandest red-ball stage.
WTC 2025-27 Points Table and Early Standings
This cycle is off to a fiery start. Australia set the early pace with flawless cricket. Sri Lanka punched above their weight on PCT. While Indian and England must convert form into consistent wins to climb the table, early over-rate penalties (England) underline how discipline can change the standings. Whilst others like Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa are yet to open their campaigns. Below is a table that is still fluid, but these first results hint at battles to come.
| Rank | Team | M | W | L | D | Points (PT) | PCT |
| 1 | Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 100.00% |
| 2 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 66.67% |
| 3 | India | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 46.67% |
| 4 | England | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 26 | 43.33% |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 16.67% |
| 6 | West Indies | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
| 7–9 | Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
These standings are only the beginning. The real picture is yet to begin. The momentum can shift quickly in the WTC marathon.
WTC 2025-27 Rivalries To Watch
The World Test Championship is not just about points. It thrives on rivalries that add history, drama, and intensity to every session. The 2025-27 cycle is set to feature some of cricket’s fiercest battles that could have make-or-break campaigns.
| Rivalry | Key Factor | WTC Impact |
| India vs Australia – Border–Gavaskar Trophy | India’s home spin dominance vs Australia’s resilience | This is a high-value series. It’s likely to shape the top of the table and decide a finalist. |
| England vs Australia – The Ashes | Tradition, sledging, and history spanning over 140 years | The results here are double-edged, glory in the Ashes and critical WTC points. |
| India vs England | Bazball aggression vs India’s discipline and depth | Early in the cycle, this series can set momentum for both teams’ campaigns. |
| Pakistan vs South Africa | Pace bowling duels and unpredictable conditions | Mid-table teams looking to stay alive. The victories here are crucial lifelines. |
| Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh | Regional pride with rising competitiveness | A chance for both sides to show progress. It stays relevant in the WTC race. |
Final Thoughts
The WTC 2025-27 cycle is off to an exciting start. The early matches have set the tone for a fierce contesting championship. Australia’s unbeaten streak has put them in the spotlight. While teams like India, England and Sri Lanka are still finding their rhythm. Every test carries weight. The evolving point table highlights how quickly fortunes can change in this high-stakes format.
The players may have a thrilling competition. But the cycle also underscores structural challenges. Such as unequal series lengths, over-rate penalties, and scheduling complexities remain key corners. By implementing standardized points, transparent calendars, tiered competitions, the ICC could enhance fairness. Meanwhile hosting the final at Lord’s ensures that tradition and prestige remain at the heart of the championship. It provides the perfect stage for cricket’s ultimate test showdown.
