ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP): How International Cricket Is Scheduled

The ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) is a master schedule published by the International Cricket Council that determines when each Full Member nation plays against each other in bilateral series over an eight-year rolling cycle. Without the FTP, cricket's global calendar would be chaotic — tours would be arranged ad hoc, and smaller nations would struggle to secure fixtures against the game's powers.

What the FTP Covers

• Test series between all 12 Full Member nations
• ODI series (minimum requirement per cycle)
• T20I series (growing volume each cycle)
• Hosting rotation — teams must host each opponent at least once per cycle
• Windows for ICC tournaments embedded in the schedule

FTP and WTC Integration

The World Test Championship cycle is built into the FTP — each bilateral Test series within the cycle contributes WTC points. This means FTP scheduling directly determines the path to the WTC Final. Nations with more FTP-allocated Tests in a cycle have more opportunities to accumulate points.

Controversies

Critics argue the FTP privileges larger boards — India, England, and Australia — who generate more broadcast revenue and therefore attract more bilateral series. The BCCI's position in particular means India tours are the most commercially coveted; smaller nations like Zimbabwe and Afghanistan sometimes struggle to secure enough Test cricket in FTP windows.