WTC 2025-27 Cycle Schedule: When will be the Next Final? Check Out Teams, Key Series, Full List of Matches

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As South Africa conclude the WTC 2025 final with a historic ICC title victory, the World Test Championship now moves to its subsequent cycle.

The ICC’s fourth World Test Championship, spanning from 17 June 2025 to June 2027, will include nine full-member nations - including India, Australia, England, and others, to contest across 27 bilateral Test series (71 matches), leading to a climactic final at Lord’s. Each team plays six series—three at home and three away—and stands a chance to lift the trophy in England in mid-2027.

ICC WTC Format and Points System

The tournament retains the familiar points system: 12 points for a win, 6 for a tie, 4 for a draw, and zero for a loss, with over-rate penalties applying. Teams are ranked by percentage of points earned. Of the nine nations, Australia plays the most (around 22 Tests), while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have lighter loads of about 12–14 Tests each.

WTC 2025-27 Cycle - At a Glance

Season Opener: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

The cycle kicks off on 17 June 2025 in Galle, as Sri Lanka host Bangladesh. Subcontinent conditions and spinning tracks promise an engaging start and set the tone for the two-year campaign.

Landmark Series: England vs India (June–August 2025)

India launches its campaign with a demanding five-Test tour of England—a high-stakes rivalry across Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval.

Shubman Gill debuts as Test captain, with Rishabh Pant as vice-captain following Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirements. A statement win here would become India’s foundation for the rest of the cycle.

Home Defenses: West Indies & South Africa (Oct–Dec 2025)

India will host West Indies in a two-Test home series in October 2025 to secure early momentum. This will be followed by two more Tests against South Africa in November and December, with matches scheduled in Kolkata and Guwahati.

Mid-Cycle Tours: Sri Lanka & New Zealand (2026)

India will travel to Sri Lanka for a two-Test away leg in August 2026, requiring adaptation to spinning pitches and emerging local talent. This will be followed by a brisk two-Test tour of New Zealand between October and November 2026, testing India’s pace resilience in seaming conditions.

Grand Finale: Border–Gavaskar Trophy vs Australia (Jan–Feb 2027)

The cycle reaches its crescendo in a five-Test home series against Australia. A marquee clash on familiar pitches, it concludes India’s league phase just before qualification for the final.

When will be the WTC 2027 Final?

The WTC 2027 final is likely to take place at Lord's in London and is likely to be played in June, 2027. The exact dates and venue will be confirmed in due course.

WTC 2025-27 Cycle Series List

Australia will play a total of 22 matches which includes an away series in India and home Ashes against England.

For India, a total of 18 matches will played across the globe. Shubman Gill's team start with a series against England while they have a two-match series later scheduled at home against current champions South Africa.