Cricket has a big following, and there are plenty of high-profile domestic and international tournaments for fans to sink their teeth into. Among the most-watched are the ICC-organised events, including the Cricket World Cup, T20 World Cup and the World Test Championship.
Elsewhere, the Ashes and IPL hold cricket enthusiasts in thrall, counting among the biggest cricket tournaments in the world. But what makes them so special? Our in-depth guide explores the top competitions, explaining their format, frequency of staging, and we’ve detailed the most recent winners of each.
Biggest Cricket Tournaments at a Glance
The ICC calendar is jam-packed with competitions. We’ve rummaged through the finest cricket tournaments in the world and showcased the frequency and latest winners in a handy table:
| Tournament | Format | Frequency | Latest winner |
| ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup | ODI | Every four years | Australia (2023) |
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | T20 | Every two years | India (2026) |
| ICC Champions Trophy | ODI | Irregular | India (2025) |
| ICC World Test Championship | Test | Two-year cycle | South Africa (2025 final) |
| The Ashes | Test | Roughly every two years | Australia (2025/26 series) |
| Indian Premier League (IPL) | T20 | Annual | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2026) |
| The Hundred | 100-ball | Annual | Manchester Super Giants |
Events such as the ICC Cricket World Cup and the Ashes have a rich history, and they have been permanent fixtures in the cricket calendar, whereas the IPL and The Hundred are more recent additions, but they have quickly grown their fan bases.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup
One of the most respected and prominent cricket tournaments in the world, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is staged once every four years.
Played in the 50-over (ODI) format, the tournament was first held in 1975. The 2019 and 2023 editions used a single round-robin of 10 teams, followed by semi-finals and the final.
However, a new format will come into force for the 2027 edition which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. There will be a fresh Super Series, where the top three teams from two groups of six plus the next best across each one qualify for the Super Seven. From there, the top four teams progress to the semi-final, with the final to follow after.
Australia are the most successful side in Men’s World Cup history, lifting the title on six occasions.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Staged every two years, the ICC-backed tournament was first contested in 2007. The fast-paced format of T20 cricket, along with high-scoring volume, has seen this event elevated in terms of importance.
The 2026 edition, which was held in India and Sri Lanka, saw India clinch the title at the expense of New Zealand in the final on 8 March 2026 in Ahmedabad. An emphatic 96-run victory saw India canter to the winning line in style.
At the time, India created history by becoming the first side to win back-to-back T20 World Cup titles. They are also the most decorated side in the competition’s history, triumphing on three occasions.
The Ashes
The most-followed series for English fans, The Ashes is fought out between England and Australia, two of cricket’s superpowers, and it is one of the oldest rivalries in the sport.
Dating back to 1882, legend has it that a bail was burnt and its ashes placed in a small urn to symbolise the demise of English cricket.
Every two years, both countries take turns to play host. Consisting of five Test matches, it is one of the most hotly contested competitions in cricket. Australia won the 2025/26 series, cruising to a 4-1 win on home soil. The next Ashes series will take place in 2027 in England.
ICC World Test Championship and Champions Trophy
Run over a two-year cycle, the World Test Championship uses a league format. Featuring the top nine teams in the Test rankings, they each play six series — three at home and three away.
Each Test win is worth 12 points, a tie 6 and a draw 4, and teams are ranked by the percentage of available points they win, and the top two in the table qualify for the Final. South Africa won the 2025 final, beating Australia by five wickets at Lord’s.
Previously known as the ICC Knockout Tournament in 1998, the ICC Champions Trophy, a 50-over tournament, has gone through several changes, and after the 2017 edition it was not held again until 2025.
India are the reigning champions as they came through a tense encounter with New Zealand in the final before prevailing by four wickets.
Franchise Leagues: IPL, The Hundred and More
A premier competition, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the biggest franchise league on the planet. This T20 tournament, which was founded in 2008, saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru defend their title as they saw off the Gujarat Titans in the 2026 final.
The Hundred, a British league focused on 100-ball cricket, was established in 2021 and has risen in status each year. Manchester Super Giants clinched the 2026 crown, beating the Trent Rockets in the final.
The Big Bash, Australia’s franchise league, has been running for well over a decade. Eight teams play 10 group matches each, and the top four progress to the knockouts. The Perth Scorchers stormed to a six-wicket win over the Sydney Sixers in the 2026 final.
SA20, South Africa’s domestic competition, features a double round-robin stage, with the top four advancing to the play-offs. There is an eliminator tie, and the two remaining sides go through to the final. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape are the defending champions.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Super League or PSL for short, expanded to eight teams for 2026 with Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi entering the fray. Peshawar Zalmi are the defending champions after beating Kingsmen in the final.
Women’s Cricket Tournaments
Below, we’ve touched on some of the women’s biggest cricket tournaments in the world:
- Women’s Cricket World Cup – Jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka in 2025, the tournament was won by India. The number of teams will rise from eight to 10 in 2029.
- Women’s T20 World Cup – A biennial fixture featuring 12 teams, it has a round-robin format, where the top four head to the semi-finals. Australia stormed to glory in 2026.
- WPL – This is the female equivalent of the IPL, and it has run for four years. RCB clinched their second title in 2026.
- Women’s Hundred – Like the men’s, this consists of 100 balls per side, and it is staged every year. Trent Rockets lifted the trophy in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest cricket tournament?
The Men’s Cricket World Cup, which was first launched in 1975, is widely perceived to be the biggest cricket tournament, and it is a flagship ICC event.
Australia won the most recent edition in 2023, beating hosts India in the final in Ahmedabad.
Who won the 2026 T20 World Cup?
India clinched the T20 World Cup, beating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final.
In successfully defending the title, India became the first side to win three T20 World Cup crowns.
When is the next Ashes series?
The next Ashes series is due to be played in England in 2027.
Where is the 2027 Cricket World Cup?
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia are co-hosting the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Who won the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup?
Australia, who beat England by seven wickets in the final at Lord’s.
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