Archive · 23 Sep 2026
ICC Plans More T20Is, Fewer ODIs for 2027–2031 Cycle
The International Cricket Council is planning cricket schedules for 2027 to 2031.
It expects teams to play more short T20I matches.
It may reduce the number of regular bilateral ODI matches.
The ICC still considers ODI cricket important because of the ODI World Cup.
It may use tri-series and quadrangular tournaments to give ODI cricket more meaning.
India, Australia and England are expected to keep playing important series against one another.
Cricket at the Los Angeles Olympics could overlap with England’s home Test series against the West Indies.
The final schedule has not been decided yet.
The International Cricket Council will discuss the 2027–2031 Future Tour Programme in Dubai this week.
Full Members are expected to play more T20Is and fewer bilateral ODIs during the next cycle.
The ICC plans more tri-series and quadrangular series to maintain the importance of ODI cricket.
India, Australia and England are expected to retain their planned bilateral schedules, including Ashes series.
The 2027–2031 schedule may clash with cricket’s return to the Los Angeles Olympics.
- Who
- The International Cricket Council and its Full Member nations, including India, Australia and England.
- What
- The ICC is preparing a Future Tour Programme that is expected to include more T20Is and fewer bilateral ODIs.
- When
- ICC discussions are scheduled to begin Tuesday, September 22; the planned cycle would run from 2027 to 2031.
- Where
- The ICC meeting will take place in Dubai.
- Why
- The ICC wants to respond to the growth of T20 leagues while keeping ODI cricket meaningful.
T20 Expansion View
ODI Preservation View
Future format priorities
T20 Expansion View
The ICC is expected to increase T20Is because T20 leagues are expanding worldwide and create more opportunities for teams.
ODI Preservation View
The ICC is not abandoning ODIs; it plans to use more tri-series and quadrangular series, while the ODI World Cup remains the format’s showpiece event.
- Planning period
- 2027–2031
- Current FTP
- The current cycle ends in March 2027.
- Expected format change
- More T20Is and fewer bilateral ODIs.
- ODI plans
- More tri-series and quadrangular series are being considered.
- Ashes schedule
- Series are planned for 2027 in England, 2029–30 in Australia and 2031 in England.
- India–England schedule
- England is expected to host India in early 2028 and travel to India in mid-2029.
- Potential scheduling conflict
- Men’s T20 cricket at the Los Angeles Olympics could overlap with England’s home Test series against the West Indies.