The ICC Board ratified the relocation on Tuesday, bringing an end to Sri Lanka’s hopes of staging the event and delivering a significant economic setback to the country, which had expected the tournament to generate substantial returns through tourism, commercial activity and global exposure. Sri Lanka are reportedly set to suffer an estimated loss of at least USD 20 million (around Rs 188 Crore) after the International Cricket Council formally stripped the country of hosting rights for the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy, with India confirmed as the new venue for the six-team tournament in February 2027. The event will now be held from February 14 to 28, 2027, with matches scheduled in Mumbai and Vadodara.
Sri Lanka are reportedly set to suffer an estimated loss of at least USD 20 million (around Rs 188 Crore) after the International Cricket Council formally stripped the country of hosting rights for the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy.
The Women’s Champions Trophy decision means Sri Lanka have now lost another major ICC event within three years for reasons linked to the same underlying issue. The focus will now turn to the proposed constitutional reforms and the timetable for fresh SLC elections. In 2023, the ICC suspended Sri Lanka Cricket amid governance concerns and subsequently moved the 2024 Men’s Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa.
A report by Sri Lanka Daily Mirror said sources indicated that the ICC had warned Sri Lanka Cricket months ago that its hosting rights were under threat unless the issues surrounding political interference were resolved and long-pending board elections were conducted. The report said members of the Transformation Committee expect the electoral process to be completed before the end of 2026 “if parliamentary procedures proceed without significant delays.”
