The International Cricket Council (ICC) hosted key operations teams from full member boards and top associate nations in Dubai on September 22-23, 2026, to lay the groundwork for the ICC Future Tours Programme covering the 2027-31 cycle. The primary goal of the gathering was to address fixture congestion and balance commercial demands by shifting towards more T20 Internationals while scaling back traditional bilateral One-Day International (ODI) series.
This strategic pivot in the ICC Future Tours Programme reflects evolving fan engagement, broadcaster preferences, and the urgent necessity to build adequate rest windows into a heavily crowded global calendar.
Why T20Is Are Taking Center Stage Over Bilateral ODIs
T20 cricket remains the sport’s fastest-growing engine, commanding high broadcast valuation and fitting comfortably within three-hour viewing windows. Allocating greater space to T20Is across the 2027-31 cycle enables member boards to maximize commercial returns while offering associate members frequent fixtures against elite opposition.
Conversely, standard bilateral 50-over series—outside of direct World Cup qualification pathways—have faced declining viewership and squeezed calendar space. To protect the format’s integrity, administrators are shifting focus toward multi-nation fixtures or tri-series, resembling the popular tournament structures of the 1990s, rather than long, low-stakes three or five-match bilateral series.
Player Workload and the “Big 3” Commitments
Managing physical fatigue and mental burnout was central to discussions in Dubai. Major member boards—often alongside the World Players’ Association (FICA)—emphasized that scheduling adjustments must safeguard player health.
For instance, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) explicitly requested built-in rest periods and preparation windows—including warm-up fixtures—prior to major Test tours in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries. Squeezing down prolonged bilateral ODI commitments allows players to transition between high-intensity franchise leagues and international duty without suffering severe fatigue.
Read Official ICC Future Tours Programme details.
Restructuring the Calendar: Test Cricket, WTC, and Tri-Series Revivals
While T20Is gain broader calendar real estate, marquee Test series will maintain their historic slots. Blockbuster rivalries—such as Ashes series in 2027, 2029-30, and 2031, as well as India’s marquee tours against England and Australia—remain firm fixtures.
The workshop also revisited the World Test Championship (WTC) framework, examining proposals to integrate teams like Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe while exploring flexibility for single-Test series. To keep the 50-over game compelling outside of the quadrennial ICC ODI World Cup, boards are leaning into multi-team tournament formats rather than repetitive stand-alone bilaterals.
Read Shaheen Afridi Test Return to our relevant article about Test Return Results.
What Happens Next for the 2027-31 FTP?
The draft calendar created in Dubai serves as the baseline for ongoing logisitcal refinements. The final, fully ratified version of the ICC Future Tours Programme for 2027-31 is expected to be presented at the ICC quarterly meetings in Bali in November 2026, well ahead of the current FTP cycle’s conclusion in March 2027.
As cricket balances traditional formats with modern commercial realities, the ICC Future Tours Programme outlines a clear direction: shorter, high-stakes international windows designed to keep fans engaged and athletes healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the main change proposed in the ICC Future Tours Programme for 2027-31?
Ans. The primary proposal increases the number of T20 Internationals while reducing stand-alone bilateral ODI series to manage player workload and match broadcaster demand.
2. Are ODIs being phased out completely in the new FTP?
Ans. No. ODIs remain vital for the ICC Cricket World Cup qualification pathways. However, bilateral ODI series will be streamlined, with a potential revival of tri-series and multi-nation tournaments.
3. How does the new 2027-31 FTP affect player workload?
Ans. By trimming longer bilateral series and building dedicated preparation and rest gaps before major Test tours, boards aim to curb player burnout and injuries.
4. When will the final 2027-31 FTP schedule be officially released?
Ans. The finalized calendar is expected to be presented and ratified during the ICC quarterly meetings in Bali in November 2026.
5. How does this strategy help Associate Member cricket nations?
Ans. More T20I slots provide Associate nations with increased opportunities to face Full Members in shorter, cost-effective formats, accelerating their competitive development.
