The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final in 2027 will be played at the Oval, with the title clash scheduled from June 9 to 13. The venue will host the prestigious match for the second time after staging the 2023 final.The decision follows the ICC Annual Conference in 2025, where the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has secured the hosting rights for the next three WTC Finals – 2027, 2029 and 2031. England has become the home of the decider of the championship, having hosted every WTC Final since the competition was introduced.The inaugural WTC Final was held in Southampton in 2021, where New Zealand defeated India to become the first champions. Australia then lifted the baton after beating India at the Oval in 2023, while South Africa claimed their first WTC title at Lord’s in 2025 with a five-wicket win over Australia.
2027 final to coincide with 150 years of Test Cricket
The WTC 2027 Final will conclude the fourth cycle of the championship and will have added significance as it coincides with the 150th anniversary of Test cricket, making it one of the landmark events in the history of the longest-running format.The ECB’s Director General of Competitions and Major Events, Neil Snowball, welcomed the confirmation, saying that England was proud to continue to host Test cricket’s pinnacle event and provide a suitable stage for the world’s top two Test teams. Speaking on the announcement, ICC General Manager, Events & Operations, Gaurav Saxena, said: “The ICC World Test Championship Final has established itself as one of the most prestigious occasions in the global cricket calendar, bringing together the two best Test teams in the world after two years of sustained excellence and consistency.“The 2027 World Test Championship Final will have a special meaning as cricket celebrates 150 years of Test cricket. The Oval has played a proud role in the history of our sport and hosted some of its most memorable moments. We look forward to working closely with the ECB to deliver another world-class event that celebrates the enduring legacy of Test cricket and creates lasting memories around the world.”“Neil Snowball, ECB General Manager, Competitions and Major Events, said: “We are honored to be staging the next three ICC World Test Championship Finals in England and Wales, and are delighted to confirm that The Oval will be the host again next year. The 2023 final at The Oval has been a huge success with broadcasters and fans alike, and I have no doubt that next year will be a special event.
Australia leads the current WTC rankings
Australia currently sits at the top of the World Test Championship standings with 87.50 percentage points, while defending champions South Africa are second with 75.00. New Zealand ranks third, followed by Bangladesh and India in fourth and fifth respectively. Sri Lanka is sixth, with England, West Indies and Pakistan completing the rankings in seventh, eighth and ninth.
Current WTC Rankings
| pos | team | played | won | I lost | Draw | DED | points | percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 84 | 87.50 |
| 2 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 75.00 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 72.22 |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 58.33 |
| 5 | India | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 48.15 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 41.67 |
| 7 | England | 13 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 38 | 24.36 |
| 8 | West Indies | 10 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 15.00 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 8.33 |