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 previously staging the 2023 final.The decision follows the ICC Annual Conference in 2025, where the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) secured the hosting rights for the next three WTC Finals—2027, 2029 and 2031. England has now become the home of the championship decider, having hosted every WTC Final since the competition was introduced.The inaugural WTC Final took place in Southampton in 2021, where New Zealand defeated India to become the first champions. Australia then lifted the mace after beating India at The Oval in 2023, while South Africa claimed their maiden WTC title at Lord’s in 2025 with a five-wicket victory over Australia.
2027 final to coincide with 150 years of Test Cricket
The 2027 WTC Final will conclude the fourth cycle of the championship and will carry 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 format.ECB Managing Director of Competitions and Major Events Neil Snowball welcomed the confirmation, saying England was proud to continue hosting the pinnacle event of Test cricket and provide a fitting 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 hold special significance as cricket celebrates 150 years of Test cricket. The Oval has played a proud role in the history of our sport and has 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 for fans around the world.”Neil Snowball, ECB Managing Director, Competitions and Major Events, said: “We are honoured to be staging the next three ICC World Test Championship Finals in England and Wales, and we’re pleased to confirm that The Oval will play host again next year. The 2023 final at The Oval was a huge hit with broadcasters and fans, and I’ve no doubt that next year’s event will be extra special again.”
Australia lead current WTC standings
Australia currently sit 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 occupy third place, followed by Bangladesh and India in fourth and fifth respectively. Sri Lanka are sixth, with England, the West Indies and Pakistan completing the standings in seventh, eighth and ninth.
Current WTC Standings
| Pos | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Draw | DED | Points | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
