What is the Future Tours Programme?
The Future Tours Programme, or FTP, is essentially the master schedule for international cricket. It is a rolling agreement between the member nations of the International Cricket Council (ICC) that outlines the bilateral series (tours between two countries)
each team will play over a cycle of several years. The current FTP runs from 2023 to 2027. The upcoming workshop in Dubai is the starting point for planning the next cycle, which will likely run from 2027 to 2031. This schedule is vital as it dictates the flow of international cricket, balancing home and away series across all three formats: Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). It provides predictability for broadcasters, boards, and fans, but its creation is a complex puzzle of balancing commitments.
On the Agenda: Player Workload and Crowded Calendars
A primary focus of the Dubai workshop will be the increasingly crowded cricket calendar and its impact on player welfare. In a recent review meeting, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) acknowledged that the sheer number of matches is a major challenge, leading to frequent injuries. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board has instructed its representatives to push for a new FTP that provides proper rest for players. This includes building more breaks between series and ensuring adequate time for acclimatisation before major tours, especially in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). With the relentless growth of domestic T20 leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL), the international calendar is squeezed more than ever, forcing boards to find a sustainable balance between lucrative franchise cricket and national duty.
Who Attends and What Happens Next?
The workshop will be attended by the operations teams from all major cricket boards. These are the individuals responsible for the logistical and scheduling aspects of international tours. ICC Chairman Jay Shah confirmed the upcoming bilateral workshop, noting it as a place for member boards to explore potential fixtures for the next cycle. While the ICC facilitates these discussions, the final schedule is built on agreements between the individual boards. This meeting is the first formal step in a longer negotiation process. Following the workshop, discussions will continue over the coming months. A follow-up meeting is anticipated in November to further refine the calendar. The ultimate goal is to finalise and announce the 2027-2031 FTP, providing a clear roadmap for the sport's next chapter.
The Bigger Picture: A Search for Context
Beyond just scheduling, this FTP discussion is part of a broader conversation about the future of international cricket. There's a growing feeling among administrators and fans that many bilateral series lack context, especially in white-ball cricket. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta recently suggested that the era of randomly scheduled bilateral ODIs might be ending, emphasizing that series need "context, culture, competition and competitiveness" to be sustainable. This thinking is driving the exploration of new structures, including the potential return of tri-series and other multi-team tournaments. Therefore, the Dubai workshop isn't just about filling dates in a calendar; it's about reimagining what that calendar should look like to keep international cricket compelling and relevant for the next decade and beyond. The decisions made here will shape the viewing experience for fans around the world.
