ICC plans six global tournaments between 2032 and 2035, new cricket calendar to be discussed

ICC Plans Six Major Tournaments for 2032–35 Cricket Calendar

The International Cricket Council is preparing a packed international schedule for the 2032–35 cycle, with six major tournaments expected to take place over four years. ICC members are meeting in Bali to discuss and approve the calendar that will follow the 2031 ODI World Cup. While the proposed lineup is taking shape, host countries and several key scheduling details have yet to be confirmed.

The draft plan continues the ICC’s recent approach of staging at least one major global event each year. It includes two T20 World Cups, two World Test Championship finals, a Champions Trophy and an ODI World Cup. For fans, the schedule could mean a steady stream of high-stakes international cricket across all three formats. For boards and players, it raises familiar questions about travel, workload and the growing competition for space in an increasingly crowded cricket calendar.

Proposed ICC Tournament Schedule for 2032–35

The new cycle is expected to open with the T20 World Cup in October and November 2032. The tournament’s host has not been announced, and the ICC has not yet released a confirmed match schedule. The autumn window, however, would give the event a prominent place in the international calendar and allow teams to prepare for the shortest format’s biggest prize.

Two major events are planned for 2033. The World Test Championship final is scheduled for June, followed by the Champions Trophy in October. The Champions Trophy is expected to retain its eight-team format, although the ICC has not confirmed either the tournament structure or the host venue. The gap between the two events would give international teams time to shift from the demands of Test cricket to the faster pace of a limited-overs competition.

The next T20 World Cup is pencilled in for July 2034. As with the 2032 edition, the host country remains undecided. The proposed timing will be closely watched because international windows must be coordinated with domestic seasons and franchise competitions, particularly in countries where major leagues attract leading players.

The 2035 schedule is less defined. A World Test Championship final and an ODI World Cup are both expected during the year, but no specific months have been announced. Their placement will be a significant part of the final calendar, especially as the ICC works to balance different formats and avoid unnecessary clashes with bilateral series and domestic tournaments.

Could England Host the 2033 World Test Championship Final?

The proposed June date for the 2033 WTC final has prompted speculation about the venue. England is a natural contender for a final played in that part of the year, given its established summer cricket season and experience hosting major international fixtures. The country has already been awarded the 2027, 2029 and 2031 WTC finals.

Whether England will receive a fourth consecutive hosting opportunity in 2033 is not yet known. The ICC may consider other venues as it seeks to broaden the reach of its events and account for local conditions, infrastructure and commercial interests. Until the governing body confirms its plans, any venue prediction remains speculative.

The choice matters beyond the final itself. A WTC championship match is a major showcase for Test cricket, and its location can influence attendance, broadcast audiences and the event’s wider profile. The ICC will need to weigh those factors alongside the practical requirements of staging a one-off final between the competition’s top two teams.

ICC to Set Matchups for the Next WTC Cycles

The Bali meeting is also expected to address the structure of the 2027–29 and 2029–31 World Test Championship cycles, including which teams will face one another. These matchups help determine the route each side must take to reach the final and shape the balance of home and away contests across the competition.

For Test-playing nations, the decisions have direct sporting and logistical consequences. A carefully designed schedule can help preserve meaningful rivalries while ensuring teams have a fair opportunity to compete. The ICC’s choices will also influence how boards allocate time for Test cricket alongside limited-overs internationals and domestic leagues.

Franchise Leagues and International Cricket’s Crowded Calendar

Another major issue on the agenda is the rapid expansion of franchise cricket. Leagues around the world are competing for players, broadcast attention and calendar space. The ICC Board is expected to review recommendations from its Franchise League Review Group, which is examining how competitions should be assessed and approved.

The challenge is to support the commercial growth of franchise leagues without weakening international cricket. More tournaments can create new opportunities for players and audiences, but overlapping schedules may make it harder for national teams to field their strongest squads. The issue is especially important for Test cricket, which often requires longer periods of preparation and recovery.

The review group is chaired by Bangladesh Cricket Board’s Tamim Iqbal, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also serving on the panel. Its recommendations could help clarify how the ICC evaluates new leagues and manages their place within the global game. The eventual rules may affect player availability, tournament approvals and the way international windows are protected.

Member Boards Set to Receive About USD 650 Million

Financial distribution is another key item at the Bali meeting. ICC members are expected to consider allocating approximately USD 650 million among member boards during the current cycle, using the existing revenue-sharing formula. The funding is important for national organisations, which rely on central distributions to support teams, competitions, development programmes and cricket infrastructure.

How the money is shared can have a lasting impact on the sport’s competitive balance. Larger boards and smaller cricketing nations have different financial needs, making the distribution model an important point of discussion. The ICC’s decision will sit alongside its calendar planning as part of a broader effort to manage the game’s global growth.

What the Bali Meeting Could Mean for Cricket Fans

The proposed 2032–35 calendar points to a major international tournament in each year of the cycle, but the details will determine how workable the plan is. Confirmed hosts, event windows and WTC matchups will help fans understand where the biggest contests are headed—and give teams and boards a clearer basis for planning.

For now, the tournament lineup offers a useful prediction of the ICC’s direction rather than a complete schedule. The final decisions will need to balance global reach, player welfare, commercial demands and the long-term health of all three formats. As members meet in Bali, the outcome could shape not only the next four years of international cricket but also how the sport adapts to an era of expanding franchise leagues and increasingly crowded calendars.