ICC Strips Sri Lanka of 2027 Women's Champions Trophy Hosting Rights

The ICC has withdrawn Sri Lanka's hosting rights for the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy 2027, citing concerns over government interference in the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Sri Lanka had originally been selected to host the six-team tournament, scheduled for February 14-28, 2027, which would have been the country's second ICC event in as many years following their co-hosting of the 2026 men's T20 World Cup. The tournament will now be moved to another venue, with the ICC expected to confirm the new host at its next board meeting. Prakash Shaffter, Secretary of the SLC Transformation Committee, confirmed the development, saying the event had been moved out of Sri Lanka, though the new venue was yet to be finalised.

The decision stems from SLC currently being run by a government-appointed Transformation Committee, an arrangement the ICC does not recognise. The global body has refused to allow SLC representatives to attend ICC Board meetings since the committee took over, and reiterated in a July statement that elections needed to be held as soon as possible for the board to regain recognition. It is not the first time Sri Lanka has lost hosting rights over governance concerns, having also been stripped of the 2024 men's Under-19 World Cup in 2023 for similar reasons, with that tournament subsequently moved to South Africa.

Beyond the hosting loss, the decision could also create uncertainty over Sri Lanka Women's own participation in the tournament, given the event is expected to feature the top-ranked sides in the world. The move is also likely to have a financial impact on SLC, which had been counting on the tournament as a source of revenue. The development comes in the midst of Sri Lanka's ongoing Women's Asia Cup campaign in the UAE, adding to a turbulent period for the country's cricket administration off the field even as the team continues to perform on it.