Sri Lanka are set to lose the right to host the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy in February 2027, with the six-team tournament expected to be moved to India. The event is likely to remain in the same window, with the new host expected to be confirmed at the ICC Board meeting in October.
Sri Lanka’s hosting rights are set to be withdrawn because of government interference in the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The board is currently being run by an interim body, the Transformation Committee, which was appointed by the Sri Lankan government to oversee major changes, including amendments to the board’s constitution. The ICC does not recognise politically appointed cricket administrations. SLC representatives have also been absent from ICC Board meetings since the Transformation Committee was installed.
The move could have a significant impact on Sri Lanka’s participation in the tournament. The Champions Trophy is restricted to the six highest-ranked teams in the ICC rankings, and Sri Lanka currently sit seventh. Australia, England, India, New Zealand and South Africa occupy the top five places, while the West Indies are sixth. If Sri Lanka lose their place, the Caribbean side would be in line to take their spot.
Sri Lanka qualified for the tournament only because they were originally scheduled to host it. A change of venue could therefore leave them outside the competition altogether. The latest development is another setback for Sri Lankan cricket. It would be the second time in three years that the country has lost the right to stage an ICC tournament because of concerns over government intervention.
In 2023, Sri Lanka were stripped of the hosting rights for the 2024 Men’s Under-19 World Cup for the same reason. The tournament was subsequently moved to South Africa. The Women’s Champions Trophy will be the first edition of the competition, with six teams competing for the inaugural title.
