India to Host Inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 Across Mumbai and Vadodara
India will stage the inaugural edition of the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 from February 14 to February 28, 2027. The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board ratified India as the replacement host country on September 1, 2026, and officially announced the match venues and schedule details the following day.
What Happened
The inaugural event was originally scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka. However, it was relocated after Sri Lanka Cricket continued reforms that were established during the ICC Annual Conference in July. To select a new venue, the ICC assessed three potential candidates: Bangladesh, India, and South Africa. Following this evaluation, India was recommended and ratified by the ICC Board. Despite the change in hosting duties, Sri Lanka retains its spot as a participating nation in the tournament.
Matches will be staged across two venues in India: the Cricket Club of India ground in Mumbai and the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium. The dates and specific venues were officially confirmed by the ICC on September 2, 2026.
Key Highlights
- Tournament Dates: The competition will run from February 14 to February 28, 2027.
- Host Venues: Fixtures will be shared between the Cricket Club of India ground in Mumbai and the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium.
- Participating Teams: Six nations will compete: Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.
- Tournament Format: The competition will be held in the T20I format featuring a round-robin stage where all six teams play each other once.
- Championship Decider: The two top-ranked teams at the end of the round-robin standings will contest the final on February 28, 2027.
- Host Selection: India was ratified on September 1, 2026, after the ICC evaluated bids from Bangladesh, India, and South Africa following the relocation from Sri Lanka.
Why This Matters
The tournament introduces a new competition to the international cricket calendar, featuring high-profile teams with proven credentials. India enters as the holder of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title, while Australia claimed the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title in England in July 2026, positioning both sides as key contenders.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah noted the broader context of the event, explaining that the tournament represents an important step for the sport. In an ICC statement released on September 2, 2026, Shah stated that the inaugural tournament brings together top teams in an intense environment while encouraging nations to improve their rankings to qualify for global events. He added that staging a marquee ICC women’s event every year provides an opportunity to build momentum, consistency, and rhythm for players and supporters worldwide.
What to Watch Next
The six qualified sides will prepare for the start of the competition on February 14, 2027, culminating in the final match on February 28, 2027, to crown the first-ever ICC Women’s Champions Trophy winner.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 take place?
The tournament is scheduled to be played from February 14 to February 28, 2027.
Which cities and venues in India will host the matches?
The matches will be hosted at the Cricket Club of India ground in Mumbai and the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium.
Why was the tournament relocated from Sri Lanka?
The competition was moved from Sri Lanka after Sri Lanka Cricket continued governance reforms outlined at the ICC Annual Conference in July. Sri Lanka remains in the event as a competing team.
What is the format of the tournament?
The tournament will be played in the T20I format. The six competing sides will play each other once in a round-robin league, with the top two teams advancing directly to the final.
Source: Based on reporting from CricTracker.