ICC Introduces Future Tours Programme for Women’s Cricket
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled a comprehensive blueprint aimed at restructuring women’s cricket globally with its new Future Tours Programme (FTP). This initiative is designed to create a dedicated window for women’s tournaments and fixtures, addressing the urgent need for a structured calendar. The move is expected to enhance global visibility and support the growth of women’s cricket, which has seen a surge in interest and participation in recent years.
Key Changes to the Women’s Cricket Schedule
As part of the FTP for 2025-2029, significant adjustments have been made to the scheduling of major leagues. The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set to take place between January and February starting in 2026, ensuring it does not overlap with other significant women’s tournaments. Meanwhile, The Hundred and the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) are scheduled for August and November, respectively. This restructuring aims to accommodate the needs of both domestic leagues and international commitments, which previously caused disruptions and complications for overseas players.
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New Tournaments and Expanded Championships
In addition to the revamped scheduling, the ICC has expanded the Women’s ODI Championship to include 11 competing teams, with Zimbabwe entering the fray. This development ensures that all ICC full members, except for Afghanistan—which does not have a women’s team—are represented in the championship. Furthermore, the ICC has announced the introduction of a T20 Champions Trophy starting in 2027, with Sri Lanka set to host the event. This will mark the beginning of a new era for women’s cricket, with three global events scheduled over 14 months, including significant milestones like the LA Olympics in September 2028, followed by the T20 World Cup in August 2028.
