England to Host World Test Championship Finals Until 2031, Confirms ICC
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the World Test Championship (WTC) Final will continue to be held in England until at least 2031. In a press release issued on Sunday, July 20, the ICC announced that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will host the next three editions of the marquee Test event — in 2027, 2029, and 2031.
The decision to keep the finals in England was based on the ECB’s proven track record, having successfully hosted the previous editions in Southampton (2021), The Oval (2023), and the upcoming final at Lord’s in 2025. England’s favorable summer schedule and strong organizational infrastructure also played a key role in the decision.
"The Board also confirmed the awarding of hosting rights for the ICC World Test Championship Finals for the 2027, 2029, and 2031 editions to the England and Wales Cricket Board, following a successful track record in hosting recent finals," the ICC said in its statement.
Despite growing interest from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to bring the final to Indian shores, the tournament will remain anchored in England for the foreseeable future.
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### Key Takeaways from the ICC Annual Conference
**Continued Support for Displaced Afghan Women Cricketers**
The ICC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women cricketers of Afghan origin who have been displaced. This program, in collaboration with the BCCI, ECB, and Cricket Australia, provides high-performance training, domestic match opportunities, and pathways into global tournaments such as the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India and the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England.
**USA Cricket Given Ultimatum**
USA Cricket has been issued a three-month deadline by the ICC to conduct fair elections and implement structural reforms. The global governing body has warned that it may take action if these conditions are not met.
**New Associate Members Elected to ICC Committees**
Three new representatives from Associate Member nations have been elected to the ICC Chief Executives' Committee (CEC):
* Gurumurthy Palani (France)
* Anuraag Bhatnagar (Cricket Hong Kong)
* Gurdeep Klair (Cricket Canada)
**Timor Leste and Zambia Granted Associate Membership**
Two new cricket boards — the Timor Leste Cricket Federation and the Zambia Cricket Union — have been granted Associate Member status, bringing the total number of ICC members to 110.