More Tests, Olympic Cricket, and T20 League Windows in Women's FTP 2025-29

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the latest Future Tours Programme (FTP) for women's cricket for the 2025-29 period, which brings a host of exciting developments, including more Test matches, the inclusion of Zimbabwe in the Women's Championship, and the introduction of Olympic cricket.

In a landmark move, women's cricket will make its debut at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, marking a major milestone for the sport. Over 400 matches will be played across all three formats during this cycle, with an ICC event scheduled for every calendar year. The biggest news for the upcoming cycle is the inclusion of Zimbabwe, bringing the total number of teams in the Women’s Championship to 11. The 2025-29 FTP will see new additions, with Bangladesh and Ireland also participating in their debut cycle.

The 2027 Women's Champions Trophy will be another major event, featuring six teams, following the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup to be hosted by India and the 2026 T20 World Cup in the United Kingdom. To prepare for these high-profile tournaments, teams will play more tri-series in the corresponding formats, helping them get ready for the international spotlight.

One of the most notable changes will be an increase in the number of Test matches. Australia will play the most Tests during this period, featuring in eight Tests over the next four years. Multi-format series, including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, are scheduled against England, India, South Africa, and West Indies. This will also mark the return of West Indies Women to Test cricket after a 20-year absence, with scheduled home Tests against Australia and England, and an away Test against South Africa in the next few years.

The Women’s ODI Championship will continue, with 132 matches across 44 bilateral series of three games each among the 11 teams. This will be key in determining the qualification pathway for the 2029 ICC Women's World Cup.

Additionally, the new FTP cycle includes a special window for major T20 leagues such as the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), The Hundred, and Women’s Premier League (WPL). These leagues will be given exclusive scheduling windows to ensure maximum player participation. The WPL will also shift to the January-February window starting in 2026, with Australia’s home season fixtures moving back by a month to accommodate the change.

ICC’s General Manager of Cricket, Wasim Khan, expressed enthusiasm for the new FTP, highlighting how it offers clarity and a pathway to the 2029 Women’s Cricket World Cup, while also emphasizing the importance of member boards collaborating to develop a balanced and engaging calendar for the women’s game.