The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is the ultimate battle for the best Test cricket team in the world.
The 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship saw fierce competition between South Africa and Australia. The 4th edition, 2025-2027 WTC is set to begin with high anticipation from cricket fans around the world.
The tournament will feature leading Test-playing teams, including India, Australia, England, South Africa, Pakistan, and New Zealand, among others.
The format remains the same—teams play Test series, earn points, and aim for the final. In this article, we’ll take a look at the teams, format, schedule, league table, and other details.
World Test Championship 2025-2027 Format and Teams
The 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) will be the fourth edition of this prestigious tournament. It will begin in June 2025 and conclude with the final at Lord’s in June 2027.
Format
The tournament will follow the same format as previous editions. There will be 27 series and 71 matches in the league stage. Each team will play six series—three at home and three away. Series will consist of two to five Test matches. The top two teams in the points table will qualify for the final.
Teams
Nine full ICC members will participate:
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- England
- India
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- West Indies
Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe will not be part of this cycle.
2025-2027 WTC Schedule
The 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) will feature 27 series and 71 matches over two years, starting in June 2025 and concluding with the final at Lord’s in June 2027.
| Team | Scheduled Matches | Not Scheduled to Play Against | Total Home | Total Away |
| Australia | 22 | Pakistan, Sri Lanka | England (5), New Zealand (4), Bangladesh (2) | West Indies (3), South Africa (3), India (5) |
| Bangladesh | 12 | India, New Zealand | Pakistan (2), West Indies (2), England (2) | Sri Lanka (2), South Africa (2), Australia (2) |
| England | 21 | Sri Lanka, West Indies | India (5), New Zealand (3), Pakistan (3) | Australia (5), South Africa (3), Bangladesh (2) |
| India | 18 | Bangladesh, Pakistan | West Indies (2), South Africa (2), Australia (5) | England (5), Sri Lanka (2), New Zealand (2) |
| New Zealand | 16 | Bangladesh, South Africa | West Indies (3), India (2), Sri Lanka (2) | England (3), Australia (4), Pakistan (2) |
| Pakistan | 13 | Australia, India | South Africa (2), Sri Lanka (2), New Zealand (2) | Bangladesh (2), West Indies (2), England (3) |
| South Africa | 14 | New Zealand, West Indies | Australia (3), Bangladesh (2), England (3) | Pakistan (2), India (2), Sri Lanka (2) |
| Sri Lanka | 12 | Australia, England | Bangladesh (2), India (2), South Africa (2) | West Indies (2), Pakistan (2), New Zealand (2) |
| West Indies | 14 | England, South Africa | Australia (3), Sri Lanka (2), Pakistan (2) | India (2), New Zealand (3), Bangladesh (2) |
Key Matches in 2025
- June 17–21: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (1st Test, Galle)
- June 20–24: England vs India (1st Test, Leeds)
- June 25–29: Australia vs West Indies (1st Test, Bridgetown)
- July 10–14: England vs India (3rd Test, Lord’s)
- October 2–6: India vs West Indies (1st Test, Ahmedabad)
- November 14–18: India vs South Africa (1st Test, Eden Gardens)
Each team plays six series—three at home and three away. The top two teams in the points table will qualify for the final.
