London, May 2, 2025: The ICC has unveiled the schedule and host venues for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at a launch event held at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Set to begin on June 12, 2026, the tournament will span 24 days, featuring 33 matches across six prominent venues in England: Edgbaston, Hampshire Bowl, Headingley, Old Trafford, The Oval, and Bristol County Ground. The final will take place at Lord’s, underlining the significance of the event in the global cricket calendar.
This will be the largest-ever edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup, with 12 teams competing—an expansion that signals growing investment and interest in the women’s game.
Eight teams have already secured qualification: England (hosts), Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. The remaining four teams will be determined through a qualification tournament to be held in 2026.
The format includes a group stage split into two groups of six, followed by a knockout phase leading to the highly anticipated final.
ICC Chair Jay Shah described the announcement as a “defining moment” in the build-up to 2026:
“This tournament will bring together the world’s finest players in a celebration of skill, spirit, and sportsmanship. The UK’s passionate and diverse fanbase has long been a backbone of international cricket. The 2017 Women’s World Cup final at Lord’s remains a landmark for the women’s game, and I can’t think of a more fitting venue for the 2026 final.”
Shah also noted the tournament’s growing significance as a prelude to cricket’s return to the Olympics at Los Angeles 2028, reinforcing the sport’s expanding global reach and appeal.
