The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed the host nations for major white-ball tournaments through 2031, marking a strategic expansion of the sport’s global footprint. The upcoming cycle features a mix of traditional cricket strongholds and emerging markets, with the United States set to co-host its first major ICC event alongside the West Indies in 2024, followed by assignments in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
Which countries are hosting upcoming ICC events?
The ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2024–2031 includes a diverse rotation of hosts designed to increase the sport’s reach. According to the official ICC tournament schedule, the primary host assignments are:
- 2024: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – USA and West Indies.
- 2025: ICC Champions Trophy – Pakistan.
- 2026: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – India and Sri Lanka.
- 2027: ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup – South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
- 2028: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – Australia and New Zealand.
- 2029: ICC Champions Trophy – India.
- 2030: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – England, Ireland, and Scotland.
- 2031: ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup – India and Bangladesh.
Why is the ICC diversifying host nations?
The ICC’s decision to move beyond the traditional "Big Three" (India, England, and Australia) stems from a desire to grow the game’s commercial and participation base. By awarding the 2024 T20 World Cup to the United States, the ICC aims to tap into the North American sports market.
"Our strategy is to grow cricket in new regions," an official ICC statement noted regarding the selection process. This approach mirrors the expansion seen in other global sports like football and rugby, where hosting duties are used as a catalyst for local infrastructure development and fan engagement.
How do these selections impact future cricket infrastructure?
Hosting a global tournament requires significant investment in stadium capacity, pitch technology, and broadcasting facilities. For nations like Namibia and Scotland, co-hosting duties provide a rare opportunity to showcase their facilities to a global audience.
In Pakistan, the 2025 Champions Trophy marks the country’s return to hosting a major ICC tournament, a significant milestone for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). According to ESPNcricinfo reporting, this event is expected to bolster domestic interest and improve the international standing of Pakistan’s cricket venues.
Comparison of tournament hosting models
The current cycle contrasts sharply with previous decades, where tournaments were almost exclusively held in full-member nations with established cricket cultures.
| Feature | Pre-2020 Model | 2024–2031 Model |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic Focus | Traditional hubs | Global expansion |
| Host Selection | Single-nation hosts | Multi-nation co-hosting |
| Emerging Markets | Limited participation | Active inclusion (USA, Namibia) |
This shift toward co-hosting reduces the financial burden on individual boards while allowing the ICC to maximize broadcast revenue across different time zones. By distributing the load, the ICC ensures that smaller cricket-playing nations can participate in the hosting process without the prohibitive costs of building massive, single-purpose infrastructure.