ICC selects Doha to host March 2026 board and committee meetings

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially selected Doha, Qatar, as the host city for its next round of Board and Committee meetings, scheduled for 25–27 March 2026.

The sessions will bring together ICC Board Directors, Chief Executives, Committee Members, and senior leadership to deliberate on governance matters and key issues shaping the present and future of international cricket. Discussions are expected to focus on strategic planning, global expansion, and the evolving commercial and competitive landscape of the sport.

The decision comes amid unprecedented growth for cricket in Qatar, where participation has surged by 447% since 2020, the highest growth rate among all ICC member nations. The choice of Doha underscores the ICC’s strategy to engage with emerging markets and expand its footprint beyond traditional cricket strongholds.

According to the ICC, the surge in participation has been driven by a series of grassroots and institutional initiatives. The inclusion of cricket in the Qatar Olympic Committee’s School Olympic Programme has embedded the sport within educational institutions nationwide, creating early exposure and structured pathways for young players.

In parallel, Criiio Cricket Festivals have introduced the game to new audiences across the country. In the most recent edition, 287 school teams took part, with nearly 90% of participants experiencing cricket for the first time. Officials credit these initiatives with building sustainable engagement and widening the talent base.

The ICC also highlighted close collaboration with the Qatar Cricket Association and national sporting authorities as central to the sport’s rapid expansion.

By selecting Doha, the ICC continues a broader trend of hosting high-level administrative meetings in non-traditional markets, following Zimbabwe’s hosting of board meetings in 2025. The move signals confidence in Qatar’s growing role within the global cricket ecosystem and its capacity to support the sport’s long-term international development.