The headline saying the ICC strips Sri Lanka of Women Champions Trophy rights has stirred strong debate in cricket circles. The ICC also confirmed a clear shift in where the first Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027 will be played.
At first, the event was set for Sri Lanka. Later, the ICC moved it to India. This first edition will feature six teams. The dates are February 14 through February 28, 2027. Games will be held in Mumbai and Vadodara.
The ICC said the move ties to work Sri Lanka Cricket is still expected to do. This work was listed at the ICC Annual Conference in July. Before choosing a new host, the ICC looked at Bangladesh, India, and South Africa. It then put forward India. The ICC Board later approved the plan in September 2026.
Because of that, the tournament plan is now different. The schedule and venue list have changed too. India is the new place to stage the event, which also reshapes the wider hosting picture for the competition.
Why the ICC moved the Women’s Champions Trophy from Sri Lanka
Many readers will ask why the ICC changed the venue.
The ICC’s stated reason stays tied to the reforms Sri Lanka Cricket must complete. The ICC said Sri Lanka Cricket continues the reforms set out at the ICC Annual Conference held in July.
After that, the ICC moved to check other options. Bangladesh, India, and South Africa were checked against host evaluation standards.
India was then picked as the replacement host. The ICC Board later backed that choice.
So even if the phrase ICC strips Sri Lanka of Women Champions Trophy rights is common, the ICC message itself frames it as a host change. It is not presented as a straight punishment.
That difference can matter for people who want the details to be correct.
India selected as host for 2027
India will now host the first-ever ICC Women’s Champions Trophy.
The matches will run in Mumbai and Vadodara. The dates remain February 14 to February 28, 2027. The listed grounds are the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai, and the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium.
For women’s cricket in India, this is a big chance. Over recent years, the sport has gained more attention in the country. Domestic events and international fixtures have also helped.
Hosting the first Champions Trophy may add more momentum.
Fans in two key Indian cricket locations will also be able to see top women’s teams from around the world.
Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 Schedule: Confirmed Details
Here is what is already known.
| Tournament | ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 |
|---|---|
| Host Country | India |
| Dates | February 14–28, 2027 |
| Format | T20I |
| Venues | Mumbai and Vadodara |
| Teams | 6 |
| Final | February 28, 2027 |
| Full Match Schedule | Yet to be announced |
The ICC has shared the key dates and the venue list.
But the full match-by-match schedule for the Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 is still pending.
The ICC also said that ticket updates and the complete schedule will come later.
So, fans should stay alert for unofficial fixture lists that appear online.
Until the ICC posts the full schedule, the exact match days, the opponents, and the match start times should be viewed as not confirmed.
Which Teams Have Qualified?
Six teams will take part in the first Women’s Champions Trophy.
They are listed below:
1) Australia
2) England
3) India
4) New Zealand
5) South Africa
6) Sri Lanka
Qualification came from the ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings. The cut-off date was July 6, 2026.
Sri Lanka did not keep the hosting role. Still, Sri Lanka’s women’s team will play in the tournament. The reason is the ranking-based qualification route.
Hosting and qualification are not the same thing.
Sri Lanka’s spot is tied to where the team ranked. The venue switch links to the host review process and Sri Lanka Cricket’s ongoing reforms.
Sri Lanka Still Has a Place in the Tournament
A new host does not mean Sri Lanka is out of the event.
Sri Lanka is already one of the six qualified sides. That means the team can still affect the outcome of the inaugural tournament.
Games in India may feel different for Sri Lanka. Mumbai and Vadodara conditions could demand a new tactical approach, compared with hosting at home.
For Sri Lankan players, this tournament could be a chance to show their level in a big international competition.
They will begin the event with one fact in mind. It was first planned for Sri Lanka.
What Is the Format of the Women’s Champions Trophy?
The inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy will use a six-team round-robin format.
In the league phase, each team plays the other teams once.
After the league stage, the top two teams will move to the final.
The final match is set for February 28, 2027.
This setup can keep the tournament tight. Points from every league game may shape who reaches the final.
It is not a straight knockout style. Teams get more than one chance after a poor start.
At the same time, the round-robin schedule rewards steady performance. To finish in the top two, teams need strong work with the bat, ball, and in the field across the full league phase.
India Will Have Home Advantage
India is the replacement host. That gives India a clear home advantage.
Indian players know the domestic grounds and routines. Even so, major international events can bring extra pressure.
Two venues also means teams must handle more than one setting. They will have to adjust for conditions in both Mumbai and Vadodara.
India should be in the strongest group of contenders. The squad includes experienced international players. At the same time, younger players are still coming through domestic and franchise cricket.
“Moreover, the home crowd may also add energy in key league games and in the final.”
For people tracking India’s women’s cricket in 2027, this tournament is expected to stand out. If you want the wider context, you can also check our India Women’s Cricket Schedule 2027 piece for the larger set of international dates and future games.
Mumbai and Vadodara will host
The ICC has named two host venues for the first event.
1) Cricket Club of India, Mumbai
Cricket Club of India is a well known cricket ground in India.
Mumbai has a long link with international cricket. It has hosted many large matches over the years.
With the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy coming to the city, the event should feel lively.
This venue could matter even more if India schedules games in Mumbai.
2) Vadodara International Cricket Stadium
Vadodara will also hold a place in the tournament’s start.
The city has a strong cricket culture. Over time, it has produced multiple women’s cricketers.
Bringing an ICC global women’s event to the area may lift the sport’s visibility.
Splitting the tournament between two cities also means it reaches beyond one main metro.
Why this hosting swap matters
This change is more than a simple shift of location.
The Women’s Champions Trophy is a first edition. The way it is staged now will set a reference point for later editions.
India’s selection could help the ICC draw bigger crowds, spark more broadcast interest, and raise commercial focus.
It also lands when women’s cricket is gaining more attention around the world.
The ICC has been adding more matches to the women’s international calendar. The Champions Trophy becomes another key event inside that growing schedule.
The ICC has called the inaugural tournament a new step for women’s cricket. It also pointed to the chance to build stronger momentum for the women’s game.
Where Sri Lanka Cricket stands now
The hosting call may bring extra focus to Sri Lanka Cricket’s reform work.
The ICC said the tournament moved as Sri Lanka Cricket keeps carrying out reforms needed after the ICC Annual Conference.
Even so, Sri Lanka is still a major cricket country, and its women’s team has earned a spot in the tournament.
So, the next stage will be important for Sri Lankan cricket officials.
They will have to keep meeting the reforms the ICC expects. At the same time, they need to keep their national teams competitive on the international stage.
Losing the hosting rights is a clear setback for Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket growth and for the chance to run the first edition.
Still, Sri Lankan players can take part in the tournament and play for the trophy.
What fans should look out for
Fans will now wait for the full fixture list to be released.
The ICC has set the tournament dates. The full match list is not out yet.
The last match is set for February 28, 2027. The six teams are known. Two venue sites have also been named.
When the ICC posts the full schedule, supporters can check dates and start times for each game. They can also confirm where each match will be played.
Here is what people should be able to follow after the release:
- India match dates
- Australia fixtures
- England fixtures
- Sri Lanka fixtures
- New Zealand fixtures
- South Africa fixtures
- Match timings
- Mumbai fixtures
- Vadodara fixtures
- Final details
- Ticket information
- Broadcast and streaming information
Until that happens, online pages should not list unofficial fixtures as if they are final.
For anyone looking for tournament squad ideas, our next coverage for Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 Teams will share what we can once official picks are confirmed.
Players Who Could Stand Out
This is a six-team event with many well-known players in women’s cricket.
Australia come in with a strong record in major competitions. England and New Zealand also have a lot of experience at this level.
India will play with local comfort in mind. The team can lean on proven batting and a useful spin group.
South Africa has improved step by step in women’s cricket. Sri Lanka will try to upset the front-runners even after losing the hosting spot.
There is also room for newer names to make an impact.
Since it is T20I cricket, the key parts will be hard hitting, calm bowling in the final overs, sharp catching, and smart match choices.
Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 Schedule: What Is Confirmed
For now, the clear points are these.
India is the host.
The dates are February 14 to February 28, 2027.
Mumbai and Vadodara are the host cities for matches.
All games are in those two places.
Six teams will play.
It will be a round-robin setup.
The top two teams will reach the final.
Sri Lanka is still in the group, even after losing the hosting rights.
The ICC will share the full fixtures and ticket details later.
Conclusion
The ICC move that removes Sri Lanka from hosting the Women Champions Trophy is one of the biggest shifts on the 2027 women’s cricket calendar.
The ICC moved the event from Sri Lanka to India after looking at swap host options. They weighed Bangladesh, India, and South Africa. The ICC Board then okayed India as the replacement.
The tournament will run from February 14 to February 28, 2027. The Cricket Club of India in Mumbai and the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium will be the venues.
Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka will play in this six-team event.
Fans already have the tournament dates, venues, format, and the list of teams. Still, the full Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 schedule is not out yet.
Once the ICC posts the official fixtures, the full schedule will show the exact match dates, who each team plays, and the start times.
The first edition is expected to be a big step for women’s cricket. Since India is set to host, much of the world’s focus will be on Mumbai and Vadodara during February 2027.
