The WTC 2025-27 4th cycle is here. With top teams India and England ready to clash, fans are already predicting who will take the crown this time. After three exciting cycles, the World Test Championship is back with new matches, big teams, and fresh rivalries.
In this blog, you’ll learn who’s playing, what the format is, and why this cycle matters more than ever. Some experts say this could be the most transparent World Trade Center yet. If you love Test cricket and want to know what’s coming, this blog has all the answers. Let’s read into the future of red&ball cricket together!
What is the WTC 2025–27 Cycle All About?
The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 is the fourth cycle of the ICC’s red-ball competition. With exciting matchups and intense competition, fans are in for a thrilling two-year ride.
Here is a short overview of the WTC 2025-27 cycle:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| The top 2 teams in the points table qualify for the final | June 2025 – June 2027 |
| Administrator | International Cricket Council (ICC) |
| Cricket Format | Test cricket |
| Tournament Format(s) | League stage (27 series, 71 matches) + Final |
| Number of Participants | 9 |
| Total Matches | 71 |
| Official Website | ICC World Test Championship |
| Opening Match | Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 17 June 2025, Galle |
| Final | June 2027, Lord’s, London |
| Defending Champions | South Africa |
| Series Structure | Each team plays six series (3 home, three away), 2–5 Tests per series |
| Qualification | Each team plays six series (3 home, 3 away), 2–5 Tests per series |
Full Schedule of WTC 2025–27
Want to know who’s playing who and when? Here’s the complete schedule of the Test series in the WTC cycle. Find out all the Test series from June 2025 to June 2027, with venues and match counts.
| Date Range | Host & Opponent(s) | No. of Tests | Venues |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17–29 June 2025 | Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh | 2 | Galle, Colombo (SSC) |
| 20 June–4 Aug 2025 | England vs India | 5 | Leeds, Birmingham, London (Lord’s & The Oval), Manchester |
| 25 June–16 July 2025 | West Indies vs Australia | 3 | Bridgetown, Grenada, Kingston |
| October 2025 | Pakistan vs South Africa | 2 | Pakistan (venues TBA) |
| 2–14 October 2025 | India vs West Indies | 2 | Ahmedabad, Delhi |
| 14–26 November 2025 | India vs South Africa | 2 | Kolkata, Guwahati |
| 21 Nov–8 Jan 2026 | Australia vs England | 5 | Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney |
| Nov–Dec 2025 | New Zealand vs West Indies | 3 | Christchurch, Wellington, Mount Maunganui |
| March 2026 | Bangladesh vs Pakistan | 2 | Bangladesh (venues TBA) |
| June 2026 | England vs New Zealand | 3 | England (venues TBA) |
| June 2026 | West Indies vs Sri Lanka | 2 | West Indies (venues TBA) |
| July–Aug 2026 | West Indies vs Pakistan | 2 | West Indies (venues TBA) |
| August 2026 | Sri Lanka vs India | 2 | Sri Lanka (venues TBA) |
| August 2026 | Australia vs Bangladesh | 2 | Australia (venues TBA) |
| Aug–Sep 2026 | England vs Pakistan | 3 | England (venues TBA) |
| Sep–Oct 2026 | South Africa vs Australia | 3 | South Africa (venues TBA) |
| October 2026 | Bangladesh vs West Indies | 2 | Bangladesh (venues TBA) |
| Oct–Nov 2026 | New Zealand vs India | 2 | Mount Maunganui, Wellington |
| November 2026 | South Africa vs Bangladesh | 2 | South Africa (venues TBA) |
| November 2026 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | 2 | Pakistan (venues TBA) |
| Dec 2026–Jan 2027 | Australia vs New Zealand | 4 | Australia (venues TBA) |
| December 2026 | South Africa vs England | 3 | South Africa (venues TBA) |
| January 2027 | New Zealand vs Sri Lanka | 2 | Christchurch, Hamilton |
| Jan–Feb 2027 | India vs Australia | 5 | India (venues TBA) |
| February 2027 | Bangladesh vs England | 2 | Bangladesh (venues TBA) |
| Feb–Mar 2027 | Sri Lanka vs South Africa | 2 | Sri Lanka (venues TBA) |
| March 2027 | Pakistan vs New Zealand | 2 | Pakistan (venues TBA) |
| June 2027 | WTC Final | 1 | Lord’s, London |
*TBA = To Be Announced (venue/city not yet officially confirmed).
All series are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.
ICC World Test Championship 2025-27: Key Points for Every Series
The 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship features 27 series, each with its unique context and stakes. Here’s a concise three•point summary for each series, helping you track the action and anticipate the drama:
1. Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (June 2025)
Bangladesh is chasing its first-ever Test series win in Sri Lanka, hoping to break a long-standing record. Both teams will be eager to start strong, as early points in the World Test Championship can shape their entire campaign. A competitive and closely fought series is expected.
2. England vs India (June–August 2025)
India will take on England in five blockbuster Tests at iconic venues like Lord’s and The Oval. With Shubman Gill leading the team for the first time in England, India will face the formidable challenge of swinging conditions and home advantage. A thrilling series awaits cricket fans.
3. West Indies vs Australia (June–July 2025)
Australia will kick off their World Test Championship campaign in the Caribbean, aiming to reclaim the historic Frank Worrell Trophy.
Fans can look forward to lively pitches, fiery fast bowling, and the electric atmosphere created by passionate Caribbean crowds. It promises to be a thrilling start.
4. Pakistan vs South Africa (October 2025)
South Africa’s rare tour to Pakistan sets up an exciting battle between their fast bowlers and Pakistan’s spin and reverse swing. The visitors will face tough crowds and tricky subcontinental conditions. With both teams needing points, this early WTC clash is crucial for staying in the race.
5. India vs West Indies (October 2025)
India will aim to dominate at home against a struggling West Indies side. The large stadiums and spin-friendly pitches give India a clear edge. However, the West Indies’ fearless style could cause surprises if India lets their guard down, making it a series to watch closely.
6. India vs South Africa (November 2025)
The Freedom Trophy promises a thrilling contest, filled with history and rivalry. South Africa’s fierce pace attack will challenge India’s strong spin lineup and dominant home record. With vital World Test Championship points on the line, both teams will be pushing hard to gain the upper hand.
7. Australia vs England (Nov 2025 – Jan 2026)
The Ashes returns with five intense Tests across Australia’s iconic grounds.
Every session will be packed with pressure, as the historic rivalry meets the stakes of the World Test Championship. Australia will look to dominate at home, while England battles hard to win back the Ashes.
8. New Zealand vs West Indies (Nov–Dec 2025)
New Zealand’s swing and seam-friendly conditions will test the West Indies’ ability to adapt. It’s a battle between the West Indies’ natural flair and New Zealand’s disciplined, well-planned approach. With crucial WTC points on the line, both teams will be eager to make their mark in this close contest.
9. Bangladesh vs Pakistan (March 2026)
Bangladesh will rely on their spin-friendly home conditions to challenge Pakistan’s experienced side. In this subcontinental battle, the turning pitches could give Bangladesh a key edge. With both teams aiming for crucial WTC points, home advantage might make all the difference.
10. England vs New Zealand (June 2026)
The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, named in honour of two cricket legends, sets the stage for an exciting series.
England’s aggressive approach will clash with New Zealand’s calm and structured style. With three closely matched Tests ahead, both teams will aim to play with a match-winning mindset.
11. West Indies vs Sri Lanka (June 2026)
Two island nations known for their exciting style of cricket will face off in the Caribbean. West Indies will count on strong home support, while Sri Lanka will rely on their ability to adapt quickly to conditions. It promises to be an entertaining and closely fought series.
12. West Indies vs Pakistan (July–August 2026)
Pakistan returns to the Caribbean for their second series, bringing experience from their last tour. The fast, bouncy pitches and passionate crowds will test both teams’ skill and stamina. With crucial WTC points at stake, every session will be important in this tightly contested battle.
13. Sri Lanka vs India (August 2026)
India’s strong away record will be tested on Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly pitches. Both teams are experts in subcontinental conditions, making this a close and exciting contest. Sharp tactics and key moments could be the difference in deciding the outcome of the series.
14. Australia vs Bangladesh (August 2026)
Bangladesh will face one of their toughest tests against Australia’s pace and bounce. While Australia is are clear favourite, Bangladesh’s recent improvement makes them strong underdogs. This series presents a significant opportunity for Bangladesh to showcase its progress and prove itself on the world stage.
15. England vs Pakistan (Aug–Sept 2026)
England will look to make the most of their home advantage, while Pakistan’s unpredictable brilliance could turn the game in a single session. With swing, reverse swing, and attacking batting on display, fans can expect dramatic moments and exciting cricket throughout the series.
16. South Africa vs Australia (Sept–Oct 2026)
Two pace-loving teams, South Africa and Australia, will clash on South Africa’s fast and bouncy pitches.
South Africa will rely on their home advantage, while Australia will bring their strong record in overseas conditions. Every batting partnership and bowling spell could play a key role in the race to the WTC final.
17. Bangladesh vs West Indies (October 2026)
Bangladesh’s slow and turning pitches will test the West Indies’ aggressive playing style. Spin bowlers will play a big role for the home team, making patience more important than power. With home advantage on their side, Bangladesh has a strong chance of earning valuable WTC points
18. New Zealand vs India (Oct–Nov 2026)
India will face one of their toughest away challenges in New Zealand’s swing-friendly conditions.
It’s a battle between New Zealand’s well-organised team and India’s star-studded, experienced squad. With crucial World Test Championship points on the line, every session could shift the momentum in this high-pressure series.
19. South Africa vs Bangladesh (November 2026)
Bangladesh’s stronger batting lineup will be tested against South Africa’s fast and fiery bowling at home. South Africa will aim to capitalize on their home conditions to earn key World Test Championship (WTC) points, while Bangladesh looks to demonstrate that they can perform well in all types of conditions.
20. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (November 2026)
Two subcontinental rivals will clash in Pakistan, where both teams are familiar with the conditions. The series is expected to be closely contested, with small tactical moves and quick adaptability making the difference. With the WTC cycle nearing its end, these matches are vital for both teams’ final hopes.
21. Australia vs New Zealand (December 2026)
The Trans-Tasman rivalry returns with Australia hosting New Zealand for four thrilling Tests.
Australia will look to use its strong home advantage, while New Zealand will bring its competitive spirit. With momentum likely to shift across the series, the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne stands out as a significant highlight.
22. South Africa vs England (December 2026)
South Africa’s potent pace attack at home will go up against England’s fearless and aggressive batting. The series also carries extra meaning with the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy on the line. Fans can look forward to a hard-fought contest filled with high-quality and intense cricket throughout.
23. New Zealand vs Sri Lanka (January 2027)
Sri Lanka will face a tough challenge against New Zealand’s seam and swing-friendly bowling conditions. Both teams will need patience and adaptability to succeed. The side that adjusts better to the conditions and stays focused is more likely to come out on top in this crucial contest.
24. India vs Australia (Jan–Feb 2027)
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will feature five thrilling Tests between two top teams: India and Australia.
India will count on their home advantage, while Australia will lean on their experience and squad depth. This high-stakes series could play a key role in deciding both teams’ WTC final chances.
25. Bangladesh vs England (February 2027)
England’s last away series in the WTC cycle will be played in spin-friendly conditions in Bangladesh. It will be a tough battle between Bangladesh’s spinners and England’s bold, attacking batters. With the league stage coming to a close, both teams need these crucial points.
26. Sri Lanka vs South Africa (Feb–Mar 2027)
Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly pitches will challenge South Africa’s potent pace attack. Both teams are under pressure with World Test Championship (WTC) final spots at stake.
The team that handles pressure better and executes its plans well will earn vital points in this final phase of the championship.
27. Pakistan vs New Zealand (March 2027)
The final series of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle could decide who reaches the WTC final.
Pakistan will look to use their home advantage, while New Zealand will rely on their disciplined and well-planned cricket. Every ball will matter, adding to the excitement and tension.
Each series in the WTC 2025-27 cycle is critical, with points at a premium. Every match will contribute to the race for the Lord’s final in June 2027.
Home and Away Series for Each Team During WTC 2025-27 Cycle
Table for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. Each team will play six series—three at home and three away, as per the ICC schedule.
| Team | Home Series | Away Series | Total Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | England, New Zealand, Bangladesh | West Indies, South Africa, India | 22 |
| Bangladesh | Pakistan, West Indies, England | Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia | 12 |
| England | India, New Zealand, Pakistan | Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh | 21 |
| India | West Indies, South Africa, Australia | England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand | 18 |
| New Zealand | West Indies, India, Sri Lanka | England, Australia, Pakistan | 16 |
| Pakistan | South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand | Bangladesh, West Indies, England | 13 |
| South Africa | Australia, Bangladesh, England | Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka | 14 |
| Sri Lanka | Bangladesh, India, South Africa | West Indies, Pakistan, New Zealand | 12 |
| West Indies | Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan | India, New Zealand, Bangladesh | 14 |
This format ensures fairness and variety in competition. It makes each team’s journey to the final both unique and challenging.
How Does a Team Win the WTC Final?
WTC is completely different from the T20 and ODI World Cup, so is its schedule and format. ODI and T20 World Cups usually take place after 4 and 2 years, respectively.
As WTC is a test match tournament, it is not possible to schedule it like other World Cups. Hence, ICC considers each test match as a WTC cycle test match and decides the team’s position based on their test match wins.
How Do Teams Reach the WTC Final?
- The top two teams on the WTC points percentage table at the end of the league stage qualify for the final.
- The winner of the one•off WTC Final, played at a neutral venue (e.g., Lord’s, The Oval, Rose Bowl), is crowned the World Test Champion.
- Teams earn points for each Test match in the league stage. Rankings are based on the percentage of points won, not total points, due to unequal numbers of matches played by each team.
- If the final is drawn or tied, both teams are declared joint winners (has not happened yet)
WTC 2025–27 Points System Explained
As we know, each team has to play six series in the WTC cycle. However, all teams won’t play the same number of matches as we have seen before in the table. It creates confusion among cricket lovers to understand the point system.
That’s why we have brought you a simple breakdown of the WTC cycle:
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Points per Win | 12 |
| Points per Tie | 6 |
| Points per Draw | 4 |
| Points per Loss | 0 |
| Points per Series | 120 (divided equally by matches in series) |
| Ranking System | Percentage of points won (PCT) |
| Over•rate Penalty | 1 point deducted per over short |
| Qualification for Final | Top 2 teams by PCT |
Let’s calculate the points percentage for a team playing 10 matches across 3 series (3, 3, and 4 matches), with 6 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses.
Step 1: Points per result
- Win = 12 points
- Draw = 4 points
- Loss = 0 points
Step 2: Total points won
- Wins: 6 × 12 = 72 points
- Draws: 2 × 4 = 8 points
- Losses: 2 × 0 = 0 points
- Total points won = 72 + 8 + 0 = 80 points
Step 3: Points contested
Each match has 12 points contested (since 12 points are awarded for a win).
- Matches played = 10
- Points contested = 10 × 12 = 120 points
Step 4: Calculate Points Percentage (PCT)
PCT=(Points Won/Points Contested)×100
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Final Thoughts: WTC 2025–27 Cycle Has Already Been Started
The WTC 2025-27 cycle will bring exciting matches, new rivalries, and big moments. This blog gave you a clear idea of what to expect in the coming years.
Teams will fight harder, and anything can happen, even a surprise winner like South Africa did.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments or with your friends!
