The inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy is set to move out of Sri Lanka, with India emerging as the frontrunner to host the six-team tournament in February 2027, India Today has learned.
Sri Lanka had originally been awarded the hosting rights as part of the ICC’s women’s global events cycle, but the tournament will now be staged in another country amid continued concerns over the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The ICC has yet to formally announce the replacement host, although India is understood to be the leading candidate.
The tournament is scheduled to be played from February 14 to 28, 2027. The six-team T20 competition is part of the ICC’s expanded women’s cricket calendar, with the event expected to feature Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa and the host nation.
GOVERNANCE CONCERNS FORCE SRI LANKA CHANGE
The decision comes against the backdrop of an ongoing governance dispute between the ICC and SLC. A government-appointed Transformation Committee is currently overseeing the administration of Sri Lankan cricket, an arrangement that has raised concerns within the ICC over government involvement in the running of the national board.
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In July, the ICC Board said it had noted progress towards a revised constitution for SLC but reiterated the need for elections to be held as soon as possible. It also confirmed that SLC would continue to be unable to be represented at ICC Board meetings for the time being.
While work on a revised constitution has reportedly progressed, the proposed changes still need to go through the required legal process before being presented to Parliament. That uncertainty has now contributed to Sri Lanka losing one of its major upcoming ICC hosting assignments.
India, meanwhile, has emerged as the leading option to take over the event. The country already has substantial experience hosting major women’s cricket tournaments and staged the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup. The BCCI also has an established network of international venues and infrastructure capable of accommodating a six-team tournament at short notice.
The ICC is expected to confirm the replacement host at a future Board meeting. Until then, India remains the frontrunner rather than the confirmed venue for the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy.
The development is another setback for Sri Lanka Cricket, which had been awarded the tournament through the ICC’s competitive hosting process. It also leaves the inaugural edition facing a significant change of venue less than six months before the scheduled start.
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