The 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship is the fourth edition of the ICC World Test Championship. It started on 17 June 2025 and is scheduled to finish in June 2027 with the final match planned to be played at Lord’s. Following South Africa’s maiden WTC triumph in 2025, the cricket world turns its attention to the next cycle, where nine Test-playing nations will battle for supremacy over two years.
Current Test Series Going On
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (June 2025)
Sri Lanka’s two-Test series at home against Bangladesh, which begins on 17 June, is the first contest of the 2025-27 cycle. This historic series marks the beginning of the fourth WTC edition, with both teams eager to start their campaigns on a positive note.
Current Match Status:
- 1st Test: June 17-21, 2025 at Galle International Stadium
- 2nd Test: June 25-29, 2025 at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
In the first Test, Bangladesh pushed their total beyond 400, with Mushfiqur reaching his seventh Test score of 150 or more and Litton Das striking his 18th Test fifty.
WTC 2025-2027 Tournament Format
Competition Structure
The tournament consists of 27 series and 71 matches in the league stage. The top two teams in the points table compete at the final. Each team plays six series, three at home and three away, with each series containing two to five Test matches.
Participating Teams
The nine participating teams in WTC 2025-2027 are:
| Team | Home Series | Away Series | Total Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 3 | 3 | 21 |
| Bangladesh | 3 | 3 | 12 |
| England | 3 | 3 | 21 |
| India | 3 | 3 | 20 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 18 |
| Pakistan | 3 | 3 | 18 |
| South Africa | 3 | 3 | 18 |
| Sri Lanka | 3 | 3 | 14 |
| West Indies | 3 | 3 | 14 |
Note: The three full members of the ICC who will not participate are Afghanistan national cricket team, Ireland national cricket team and Zimbabwe national cricket team.
WTC Points System Explained
How Points Are Awarded
The points system was unchanged from the previous edition. A win was worth all 12 points, a tie was worth 6 points each, a draw was worth 4 points each, and a loss was worth 0 points.
| Match Result | Points Awarded |
|---|---|
| Win | 12 points |
| Draw | 4 points |
| Tie | 6 points each |
| Loss | 0 points |
Additional Rules
Over-Rate Penalties: A team that was behind the required over rate at the end of a match would have one point deducted for each over it was behind.
Ranking System: Teams were ranked in the league table based on percentage of total points won out of total points contested.
WTC 2025-2027 Current Points Table
The table will be updated as matches are completed
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Draw | Points | PCT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TBA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 2 | TBA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 3 | TBA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 4 | TBA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 5 | TBA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 6 | TBA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 7 | TBA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 8 | TBA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 9 | TBA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Table Legend:
- M: Matches Played
- W: Matches Won
- L: Matches Lost
- D: Matches Drawn
- PCT%: Percentage of Points Won
WTC 2025-2027 Complete Schedule
Key Series to Watch
England vs India (June-August 2025) England and India overlaps with a five-Test showdown between England and India. The two teams will go head-to-head at Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford and The Oval in the coming weeks.
The Ashes (Late 2025) Australia play 11 matches at home – including an Ashes series against England later this year.
Upcoming Major Series
| Series | Period | Venue | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh | June 2025 | Sri Lanka | 2 |
| England vs India | June-August 2025 | England | 5 |
| West Indies vs Australia | June 2025 | West Indies | 2 |
| Australia vs England (Ashes) | Late 2025 | Australia | 5 |
| India vs Australia | 2026 | India | 5 |
Team-wise Fixtures Analysis
Australia’s Campaign
Australia play 11 matches at home – including an Ashes series against England later this year and four Tests against New Zealand – and the same number away.
England’s Challenge
England’s big 21-match cycle begins with a bumper five-Test series against India and both sides will have a point to prove after missing the 2025 WTC final.
South Africa’s Defense
The reigning WTC champions begin their defence with back-to-back tours of Pakistan and India and amazingly have no home Tests for the 2025-26 summer.
Pakistan’s Opportunity
Pakistan will start their 2025-27 WTC campaign with as favourable a schedule as they could have hoped for, and a realistic chance of reaching the finals next time around.
WTC 2027 Final Details
Venue Information
It is scheduled to finish in June 2027 with the final match planned to be played at Lord’s. The ICC has declined the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) request to rotate the hosting rights of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, with England set to continue as the sole venue for the next three editions in 2027, 2029, and 2031.
WTC Final 2027 Details:
- Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
- Date: June 2027
- Format: Single Test Match
- Participants: Top 2 teams from points table
Historical Context
Lord’s will subsequently host the WTC final in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031 consequently ensuring the grounds remain the epicenter of test cricket.
Previous WTC Winners
| Edition | Year | Winner | Runner-up | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2021 | New Zealand | India | Southampton |
| 2nd | 2023 | Australia | India | The Oval |
| 3rd | 2025 | South Africa | Australia | Lord’s |
| 4th | 2027 | TBA | TBA | Lord’s |
Key Statistics and Records
Recent WTC Performance
- South Africa are the current champions, having defeated Australia in the 2025 final at Lord’s
- While Sri Lanka finished sixth on the WTC 2023-2025 points table, Bangladesh were right were at seventh
Tournament Facts
- Total Matches: 71 in league stage
- Total Series: 27 across all teams
- Competition Period: 2 years (June 2025 – June 2027)
- Qualification: Top 2 teams reach final
How to Follow WTC 2025-2027
Points Calculation Example
Example: If a team plays 20 matches (240 total points available) and wins 10 matches (120 points earned):
- Percentage = (120/240) × 100 = 50%
Regular Updates
This points table will be updated regularly as matches conclude. Key factors to watch:
- Home advantage impact
- Series results between top teams
- Over-rate penalties affecting standings
- Percentage calculations as matches increase
Future Fixtures Preview
Major Series Impact
Border-Gavaskar Trophy (India vs Australia): Expected to be crucial for both teams’ qualification chances, with five Tests providing significant points opportunities.
The Ashes: The Australia-England Ashes series will play a crucial role in shaping the WTC 2026 points table. With 5 high-stakes Test matches, the winner of the Ashes will have a solid advantage in the WTC ranking table.
Dark Horse Contenders
Pakistan and South Africa have the potential to be surprise contenders. If they perform well in their home conditions, they could shake up the WTC points table 2027.
Conclusion
The WTC 2025-2027 cycle promises intense competition as nine teams will contest the WTC and each nation will play six other sides – three home and three away – over the course of the two-year period. With South Africa beginning their title defense and traditional powerhouses like India, Australia, and England seeking redemption, the race to Lord’s 2027 will be fascinating to follow.
The points table format ensures every Test match carries significant weight, making consistent performance across home and away conditions crucial for final qualification. As the tournament progresses, this guide will serve as your comprehensive resource for tracking team performances and understanding the path to the WTC Final 2027.
Stay Updated: This article will be regularly updated with the latest match results, points standings, and fixture information as the WTC 2025-2027 cycle progresses.