A total of 23 matches are scheduled for the rest of 2026 in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. Here is the schedule of the remaining games this year.
The 2025-27 cycle of the WTC started in June 2025 and Australia, on the back of series wins over West Indies and England, lead the table currently. New Zealand are second following their 2-1 win over the West Indies, whereas South Africa jumped to third following a historic series win over India.
Sri Lanka drew their only series in the cycle 1-1 with Bangladesh and are fourth, whereas Pakistan complete the top five after a home series draw with the Proteas. India and England are sixth and seventh, respectively, having played nine and ten games, respectively, in the cycle already. Bangladesh are eighth, while the West Indies are ninth.
Also read: Updated World Test Championship standings after Australia's 4-1 Ashes victory
Bangladesh vs Pakistan (Bangladesh) – 2
May 2026
Bangladesh welcome Pakistan for a two-Test series, which would be the first WTC action of the year since the 2025/26 Ashes. The first match is scheduled to start on May 8 in Mirpur, while the second game will be played in Sylhet, starting May 16.
England vs New Zealand (England) – 3
June 2026
New Zealand will then visit England for a three-Test series, starting June 4. The first Test will be played at Lord’s while the second is scheduled to be held at the Oval from June 17. Trent Bridge will host the third Test, starting June 25.
Australia vs Bangladesh (Australia) – 2
August 2026
After their series against Pakistan, Bangladesh will visit Australia for a two-Test affair, the first series in the format between the two sides since 2017, which had finished 1-1. Bangladesh, notably, last visited Australia for a Test series back in 2003. The first Test of the Tigers’ tour down under starts on August 13 in Darwin, whereas the second game is scheduled to start on August 22 in Mackay.
England vs Pakistan (England) – 3
August-September 2026
Pakistan will visit England for three Tests, starting August 19 in Leeds. Lord’s will host the second Test from August 27, while the third match will be played in Birmingham from September 9. This would mark the end of England’s home games in the ongoing WTC cycle. They will visit South Africa for their final set of fixtures in the league stage.
South Africa vs Australia (South Africa) – 3
October 2026
South Africa will first welcome Australia as part of a bumper home summer that would also see Bangladesh and England visit them. The first Test will be played in Durban from October 9, followed by games at Gqeberha from October 18 and in Cape Town from October 27. This will be the two sides' first meeting in the format since the 2025 WTC final.
South Africa vs Bangladesh (South Africa) – 2
November 2026
After their historic tour of Australia, Bangladesh will also visit South Africa to play two Tests as part of the 2025-27 WTC cycle. This will be their first tour of South Africa since March-April 2022, when they went down 2-0. The first Test of the series is scheduled to start on November 15 in Johannesburg, while Centurion will host the second game from November 23.
Australia vs New Zealand (Australia) – 4
December 2026-January 2027
Australia will welcome New Zealand for a four-Test series, starting December 9 in Perth. Adelaide will host the second Test from December 17, with the third Test scheduled to be played in Melbourne from December 26. Sydney will play host to the fourth game of the series, starting January 3.
South Africa vs England (South Africa) – 3
December 2026-January 2027
South Africa’s home summer will culminate with a high-profile three-Test series against England. Johannesburg will host the series opener on December 17, before the series moves on to Centurion, which will host the second Test from December 26. The third match will be played in Cape Town from January 3.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
