The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that The Oval will host the 2027 World Test Championship (WTC) final, with the showpiece event moving away from Lord's after concerns over pitch quality at the famous London venue.
The decision comes despite the success of last year's final at Lord's, where South Africa defeated Australia to lift the WTC mace.
The Oval selected for historic World Test Championship final
England has retained hosting rights for the next three World Test Championship finals, but the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has opted to stage the 2027 decider at The Oval.
The move was influenced in part by concerns surrounding the quality of Lord's pitches after the ground received its first ICC demerit point following England's Test against New Zealand, where the surface was rated "unsatisfactory".
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which owns Lord's, is reviewing its pitches and plans to relay several underperforming strips. The club hopes to bring the WTC final back in 2029 if improvements are successful.
The decision also benefits Surrey, with The Oval now set to host both the World Test Championship final and the fifth Ashes Test next summer.
"It's an honour to host the biggest games in cricket and it doesn't get much bigger than the ICC World Test Championship Final," Surrey chief executive Steve Elworthy said.
Busy English summer of Test cricket
England will host seven men's Tests during the 2027 season, including the five-match Ashes series, a standalone Test against Bangladesh and the World Test Championship final.
The reshuffle means Emirates Old Trafford will no longer stage a Test, although Lancashire is expected to receive compensation.
The first three WTC finals have all been held in England. New Zealand beat India in Southampton in 2021, Australia defeated India at The Oval in 2023, and South Africa claimed the title at Lord's in 2025.
The ICC views England as an ideal host because of consistently strong ticket sales, regardless of the finalists.
Australia currently lead the 2025-27 World Test Championship standings, with South Africa and New Zealand close behind. England sit seventh and face an uphill battle to qualify after winning just four of their opening 13 Tests, while also losing points for slow over rates.
ICC general manager of events and operations Gaurav Saxena said the 2027 final would carry added significance as Test cricket celebrates its 150th anniversary.
