All India and Pakistan matches till 2027 to be played at neutral venues: ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on December 19 (Thursday) that from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 onwards, all the India and Pakistan matches in the Future Tours Program 2024-27 cycle will be played at neutral venues.

This means that India will play all its matches at a neutral venue in the Champions Trophy 2025. Similarly, when the T20 World Cup 2026 takes place in India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan will not play any of its matches in India. 

ICC also announced that Pakistan will host the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028. Although it is not part of the 2024-27 cycle, the arrangements of neutral venues will apply to that tournament as well. The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup will be played in India, and Pakistan will play their matches at a neutral venue. 

The schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025 has not yet been announced, but it seems that after the neutral venue system has been accepted, the schedule and venue for India matches will be announced soon as well. 

The Champions Trophy begins on February 19, and Pakistan will look to defend the title it won in 2017. Apart from India and Pakistan, the other six teams in the tournament are Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.