Sri Lanka Lose Champions Trophy 2027: Hosting Rights Taken Away Amid SLC Row

Sri Lanka has reportedly lost the hosting rights for the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027 amid concerns over government interference in the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

The tournament was scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from February 14 to 28, but the International Cricket Council has decided to move the event to another country, according to a report by the Sunday Times.

A nine-member Transformation Committee is currently administering SLC after the Sri Lankan government removed the previous office bearers in April. The committee was tasked with implementing administrative reforms within the cricket board.

"Yes, it has been moved out of Sri Lanka," SLC Transformation Committee Secretary Prakash Shaffter told the Sunday Times.

"It will be played at another venue, but as of now, I am not sure where it will be played," he added.

ICC Yet To Decide New Host

According to the report, the ICC is expected to decide on a replacement host at its next Board meeting.

The loss of hosting rights could have significant financial implications for Sri Lanka, but there is also a potential impact on the country's participation in the tournament.

The Women's Champions Trophy is expected to feature the top five teams in the rankings along with the host nation. Sri Lanka are currently ranked sixth in the world.

If a lower-ranked country is handed hosting rights, Sri Lanka's place in the tournament could consequently come under threat.

Sri Lanka Previously Lost U-19 World Cup Hosting Rights

This is not the first time Sri Lanka has lost an ICC event amid concerns surrounding the administration of its cricket board.

Sri Lanka was previously due to host the 2024 ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup before the ICC suspended SLC. The tournament was subsequently moved to South Africa.

The latest development leaves Sri Lanka facing both the financial consequences of losing a major global tournament and uncertainty over its place in the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy.