Sri Lanka could lose at least US$20 million in potential revenue after the ICC moved the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy 2027 to India, according to a report by Daily Mirror Sri Lanka, creating a major financial consequence for the country even as Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has pledged its support for the relocated tournament.
The six-team competition will take place from February 14 to 28, 2027, with matches at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai and the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium. Australia, England, India, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka will compete in a round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the final.
Governance issues behind hosting change
The hosting switch comes while SLC is being administered by a government-appointed Transformation Committee rather than an elected administration. The ICC has raised concerns around political interference in Sri Lankan cricket and the need for elections to restore an administration that meets its governance requirements.
Around two months before the hosting decision, the ICC informed Transformation Committee Secretary Prakash Schaffter that Sri Lanka risked losing the Women’s Champions Trophy unless the political interference issue was addressed and the long-awaited SLC elections were held. Schaffter subsequently communicated the warning within the interim administration, while the Sports Ministry and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake were not informed until recently.
The Transformation Committee has completed a draft constitution and submitted it to the Sports Minister. The proposed reforms must pass through the required legal process before being presented to Parliament.
SLC accepts decision and turns focus to tournament
SLC has now formally responded to the relocation while remaining involved in the tournament through its women’s national team. SLC said in an official statement: “Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) notes the International Cricket Council’s decision regarding the hosting of the upcoming ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027.”
Sri Lanka’s place in the competition is unaffected by the loss of hosting rights, with the women’s national team securing qualification based on its position in the qualification process.
Attention will now turn to the team’s preparations and SLC’s involvement with the organisations staging the event. The board added: “SLC welcomes the qualification of the Sri Lanka women’s national team and remains committed to providing the team with the necessary support in its preparation for the tournament. Sri Lanka Cricket will continue to work closely with the ICC, the host nation of the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful conduct of the inaugural tournament.”
Sri Lanka loses another ICC event amid governance concerns
The Women’s Champions Trophy becomes another ICC tournament moved away from Sri Lanka during a period of governance disruption. After SLC was suspended in 2023 amid concerns over government interference, the 2024 Men’s Under-19 World Cup was relocated from Sri Lanka to South Africa.
SLC’s representation at ICC Board meetings has also been restricted while the governance situation remains unresolved. In July, the ICC noted progress towards a revised constitution but maintained that elections needed to be held as soon as possible.
For the Women’s Champions Trophy, Bangladesh, India and South Africa were assessed as potential replacement hosts under the ICC’s established host evaluation criteria before India was recommended.
ICC targets annual momentum for women’s cricket
The inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy forms part of a calendar designed to stage a marquee ICC women’s event every year. ICC Chairman Jay Shah said in an official ICC statement announcing India as host: “With a marquee ICC women’s event now taking place every year, we have a significant opportunity to build greater momentum, provide more consistency and create a stronger rhythm for the women’s game, its players and its fans around the world.”
Sri Lanka will therefore enter the tournament as a participating team rather than its host. Its next role will centre on preparing the national side and working with the ICC, India and other stakeholders ahead of the competition in February 2027.
