The ICC is considering a major adjustment to the international cricket calendar for the 2027-31 cycle. The proposed Future Tours Programme would feature more T20I meetings between Full Members and fewer standalone bilateral ODI series.
Discussions are taking place at the ICC’s cricket operations workshop in Dubai this week. The FTP is not expected to be finalised until the governing body’s quarterly meeting in Bali in November, and several unresolved issues mean the proposed direction is not yet a definitive schedule.
A clearer tilt toward T20 cricket
The most significant potential change is an increase in T20I matches between Full Members. The format remains central to the ICC’s global growth strategy, while the international calendar is also facing mounting pressure.
The two-year T20 World Cup cycle makes frequent T20I fixtures more attractive than the four-year ODI World Cup cycle.
However, the move does not signal plans to phase out the 50-over format. The ODI World Cup remains cricket’s premier global tournament, but members are exploring ways to give bilateral ODIs greater significance while reducing the number of isolated series.
Tri-series and potentially four-team tournaments, formats that were common in the 1990s, are among the options being considered. The aim would be to create more meaningful ODI fixtures without reinstating the previous ODI Super League.
These proposals reflect a broader scheduling challenge: cricket is trying to accommodate three international formats, franchise competitions and major global events within an increasingly crowded calendar.
Core India, Australia and England arrangements mostly settled
Although the broader FTP remains under development, the major commitments involving India, Australia and England are understood to be largely agreed.
The Ashes will continue its established rotation, with series scheduled for 2027 in England, 2029-30 in Australia and 2031 in England.
England are also scheduled to host India in 2029, while India are expected to stage an England Test series in early 2028.
The 2027-31 cycle must also accommodate cricket’s return to the Olympics at Los Angeles 2028. The men’s T20 tournament is expected to be played in July, potentially conflicting with England’s home Test series against West Indies.
Other Full Members will need to fit their commitments against India, Australia and England around their existing schedules.
South Africa, for example, is expected to host India immediately after the 2027 ODI World Cup. That tournament will be staged across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October and November.
Pakistan cannot arrange bilateral cricket with India and has sought greater commitments against England and Australia. A five-match ODI series against England is already planned for next summer, while Pakistan are scheduled to tour Australia for three Tests in 2027-28.
World Test Championship expansion remains undecided
The future structure of the World Test Championship is another unresolved issue.
The current competition features nine teams, but an ICC working committee previously recommended adding Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland.
The proposal also included the possibility of one-Test series to accommodate the additional participants.
Zimbabwe is understood to be interested in joining the WTC, although it remains uncertain whether Afghanistan and Ireland would participate if the competition expands.
A two-tier WTC model was considered earlier but subsequently rejected. The ICC has yet to decide whether the championship will expand for the 2027-29 cycle.
ICC reviews DRS provider options
The Dubai workshop is also addressing technology and officiating matters, including the ICC’s DRS accreditation programme.
Hawk-Eye and Virtual Eye are currently the ICC’s approved DRS technology suppliers in international cricket. The governing body is now considering ways to expand the pool of accredited review-technology providers.
The overall FTP is expected to become more defined in Dubai, but the final 2027-31 international calendar will not be released until November.
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