From 1975 to 1983, England hosted three consecutive men’s Cricket World Cups. Similarly, all World Test Championship (WTC) finals so far—2021 and 2023—have also taken place on English soil. The trend will continue with the 2025 WTC final, once again set to be played in England. However, change may be on the horizon.
According to a report by The Guardian, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally expressed interest in hosting the 2027 WTC Final. The proposal was submitted during the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee meeting held in Zimbabwe last month. Reports suggest the bid has been received positively by ICC officials.
The Guardian notes that India’s pitch for hosting the WTC final gained swift traction. BCCI CEO Arun Dhumal represented India at the meeting, while Jay Shah, his predecessor, currently serves as the ICC Chairman, adding weight to India’s case. As such, many within the cricketing world are already viewing India as the frontrunner to host the 2027 finale.
The WTC finals so far have been held at prestigious English venues: the Rose Bowl in Southampton in 2021 and The Oval in 2023. The upcoming 2025 final is scheduled for June 11–25 at Lord’s, where Australia and South Africa will battle for the title.
Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly lobbying the ICC to make an early decision about the 2027 venue. If the final is to be moved to a neutral country like India, England wants ample time to schedule an alternate high-profile series in that window.
However, the ICC remains cautious about making a final decision. A major concern is attendance. If India hosts the 2027 final and fails to qualify, empty stadiums could become a problem. This was evident during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, where matches not involving the host nation drew minimal crowds.
In contrast, England has consistently delivered packed stadiums, even when the home side wasn’t playing. All four days of the upcoming 2025 final at Lord’s have already sold out in advance, and both previous WTC finals saw strong turnout despite England not being a finalist.
