The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the complete schedule for the 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

 

 A total of 71 Test matches will be played over two years, with nine teams competing for the title.

 

This announcement comes after South Africa won their first WTC title by beating Australia in the final at Lord’s.

 

The new cycle will begin on June 17 with a match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle. Australia will play the most matches in this cycle, with 22 games lined up. England will play 21 matches, while India is set to play 18.

 

India will begin their campaign with a five-match away series against England starting June 20 at Headingley. Under the leadership of new captain Shubman Gill, India will also host the West Indies, South Africa, and Australia while touring Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

 

South Africa, which has remained unbeaten since August 2024 under captain Temba Bavuma, will start their title defence with a two-Test series in Pakistan in October. South African fans will have to wait until September 2026 to see their team play at home when they host Australia.

 

The historic Ashes series between Australia and England will take place later this year in Australia. Pakistan will play 13 Tests, including a home series against South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand.

 

While the number of matches varies, the ICC has tried to keep the number of series balanced for each team. The top teams like Australia, England, and India have a heavier schedule due to their strong Test cricket depth and global following.

 

Here is the team-wise match breakdown for the 2025–27 WTC cycle:

 

 
 
 
Team
 
Matches
 
Home Series
 
Away Series
 
 
 
 
 
Australia
 
22
 
England (5), New Zealand (4), Bangladesh (2)
 
West Indies (3), South Africa (3), India (5)
 
 
 
Bangladesh
 
12
 
Pakistan (2), West Indies (2), England (2)
 
Sri Lanka (2), South Africa (2), Australia (2)
 
 
 
England
 
21
 
India (5), New Zealand (3), Pakistan (3)
 
Australia (5), South Africa (3), Bangladesh (2)
 
 
 
India
 
18
 
West Indies (2), South Africa (2), Australia (5)
 
England (5), Sri Lanka (2), New Zealand (2)
 
 
 
New Zealand
 
16
 
West Indies (3), India (2), Sri Lanka (2)
 
England (3), Australia (4), Pakistan (2)
 
 
 
Pakistan
 
13
 
South Africa (2), Sri Lanka (2), New Zealand (2)
 
Bangladesh (2), West Indies (2), England (3)
 
 
 
South Africa
 
14
 
Australia (3), Bangladesh (2), England (3)
 
Pakistan (2), India (2), Sri Lanka (2)
 
 
 
Sri Lanka
 
12
 
Bangladesh (2), India (2), South Africa (2)
 
West Indies (2), Pakistan (2), New Zealand (2)
 
 
 
West Indies
 
14
 
Australia (3), Sri Lanka (2), Pakistan (2)
 
India (2), New Zealand (3), Bangladesh (2)
 
 
 

 

With new captains, team changes, and matches in different conditions, this WTC cycle will test every team’s skills and consistency.

 

The final of this WTC edition is expected to take place in mid-2027. The venue has not been confirmed yet.