# ICC Strips Sri Lanka of Women Champions Trophy Hosting Rights Amid Governance Row > The International Cricket Council has removed Sri Lanka as the host of the inaugural 2027 Women's Champions Trophy due to ongoing governance disputes, with a new venue yet to be decided. **Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-08-30 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/icc-strips-sri-lanka-of-women-champions-trophy-hosting-rights-amid-governance-row-24639 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Womens Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka Cricket, ICC, Cricket News, Prakash Shafter Sri Lanka Cricket has suffered a significant setback as the International Cricket Council has decided to strip the country of its hosting rights for the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy in 2027. The tournament, featuring six teams and scheduled from February 14 to February 28, will now be staged in an alternative nation. The identity of the new host country remains unconfirmed, with a final decision expected to be reached during the upcoming meeting of the governing body's board. Friction between the international governing body and Sri Lankan cricket administration has intensified over governance structures. At present, the national board is being administered by a government-appointed transformation committee. The international body has consistently maintained a strict stance regarding the independence of its member boards, strongly opposing government interference in the administration of the sport. Prakash Shafter, secretary of the Sri Lanka Cricket transformation committee, confirmed the development in an interview with the Sunday Times. He acknowledged that the event has been moved out of the country and will take place at a different venue, though the exact location has not yet been communicated to him. ## Previous Instances of Lost Hosting Rights This is not the first occasion where administrative disputes have cost Sri Lanka a major global tournament. In November 2023, the international body suspended Sri Lanka Cricket due to governmental intervention in its operations. Consequently, the hosting rights for the 2024 Men's Under-19 World Cup were also withdrawn and relocated to South Africa. Losing the Women's Champions Trophy marks yet another major blow to the nation's cricket administration. ## Pressure for Democratic Elections While the transformation committee is currently working on restructuring the framework and constitution of Sri Lanka Cricket, the international council continues to demand democratic elections to reinstate an elected governing board. Since the transition to committee control, representatives from Sri Lanka have been barred from participating in board meetings. Discussions during the July meetings also emphasized the urgent necessity of holding elections without delay. ## Economic Implications for Local Businesses Hosting a major international cricket tournament extends far beyond prestige. The arrival of visiting teams, officials, broadcasting personnel, and international spectators injects vital economic activity into the host nation. Local businesses, including hotels, transport services, tourism operators, and the cricket board itself, stand to benefit significantly from such events. The relocation of the tournament means Sri Lanka will miss out on these substantial financial advantages. ## Uncertainty Over Qualification and Participation Beyond hosting duties, questions have also arisen regarding Sri Lanka's direct participation in the competition. The premier edition of the Women's Champions Trophy is slated to feature six competing sides, with initial qualification plans accommodating the host nation alongside top-ranked teams. Sri Lanka currently occupies the sixth position in the rankings. If the tournament is awarded to a country outside the existing qualification bracket, selection criteria could shift. However, revised guidelines have not yet been published, leaving the team's qualification status ambiguous. While an official announcement detailing the formal withdrawal and the new venue is anticipated at the next board meeting, it is certain that the maiden Women's Champions Trophy will no longer take place in Sri Lanka. The ongoing administrative standoff has once again cost the nation a major international cricket showcase. ## What this means for you The relocation of the tournament away from Sri Lanka will result in missed financial opportunities for local tourism, hospitality, and transport sectors. - **Across India:** Indian cricket fans and the national team will need to monitor updates regarding the final venue selection and revised qualification criteria for the tournament. - **In Sri Lanka:** Local businesses, tourism operators, and the broader hospitality industry will lose out on the economic boost that hosting a major international tournament provides. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Which country has been stripped of the Women's Champions Trophy hosting rights? The International Cricket Council has removed Sri Lanka as the host of the tournament. ### 2. When is the tournament scheduled to take place? The tournament is scheduled to be held from February 14 to February 28. ### 3. Who will be the new host of the tournament? The international governing body has not yet announced the new host country. ### 4. Who is currently running cricket administration in Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka Cricket is currently being administered by a government-appointed transformation committee. ### 5. What previous tournament was relocated from Sri Lanka? The hosting rights for the 2024 Men's Under-19 World Cup were previously taken away from Sri Lanka. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._