Ahmedabad, June 1: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a significant change to the schedule of the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027. The tournament will now take place from February 14 to 28, 2027, instead of the previously planned June-July timeframe.
This decision is part of a broader initiative to strengthen women’s cricket globally. The ICC has also approved a new Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy and established the qualification pathway for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028.
The Women’s Champions Trophy will kick off in February, creating a new window in the international calendar. This adjustment is expected to aid in scheduling and ensure better conditions for the tournament.
In another important development, the ICC has confirmed that it will launch the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, featuring 10 countries to provide more international experience to developing nations. This tournament will include five full member teams and five associate member teams, selected based on rankings and previous T20 World Cup qualifications. The aim of this initiative is to enhance competition in women’s cricket and support emerging countries.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah stated, “Our discussions in Ahmedabad have reinforced the ICC’s commitment to governance, administration, and the development of cricket worldwide. From women’s cricket and emerging nations to the management of franchise competitions, today’s discussions and decisions aim to ensure that cricket remains fair, competitive, and exciting for fans around the globe.”
The ICC board has also approved the qualification system for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2028, which will be hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Matches involving India will take place at neutral venues.
The Women’s T20 World Cup 2028 will feature 12 teams. Ten teams will automatically qualify, including the top eight from the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, the host nation (if it has not already qualified), and the next highest-ranked teams in the ICC Women’s T20 rankings as of July 6, 2026. The remaining two spots will be filled through a global qualifier involving ten teams, supported by regional qualifying tournaments. Plans for regional qualification spots are expected to be finalized in the ICC’s meetings scheduled for July.
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