England to Host ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that England will be the host nation for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Seven venues across England have been selected to host the matches.

Tournament Details

The final match is scheduled to take place at the renowned Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 5. The tournament will be expanded to include 12 teams, with a total of 33 matches played over a span of 24 days.

Selected Venues
  • Lord’s
  • Old Trafford
  • Headingley
  • Edgbaston
  • The Oval
  • Hampshire Bowl
  • Bristol County Ground

This event marks a significant return of a major women’s final to Lord’s, which previously hosted the 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final. In that match, England triumphed over India in front of a large audience, a moment that significantly boosted the popularity of women’s cricket.

Qualified Teams

New Zealand will participate as the defending champions, having secured victory in the 2024 edition held in the UAE. Eight teams have already secured their place for the 2026 event:

  • Australia
  • England
  • India
  • New Zealand
  • South Africa
  • West Indies
  • Pakistan
  • Sri Lanka

The remaining four teams will be decided through a global qualifier next year.

Tournament Format

The competition will consist of a group stage followed by knockout rounds. The twelve teams will be divided into two groups of six, with the top teams advancing to the semi-finals and the final at Lord’s.

Statements from Officials

ICC Chairman Jay Shah described the confirmation of the venues as a “defining moment” for women’s cricket, noting the passionate support from diverse communities in the United Kingdom. He highlighted the sold-out 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup final at Lord’s as a landmark moment and an ideal setting for the upcoming final. Shah also mentioned the exciting prospect of T20 action captivating fans and showcasing cricket’s return to the Olympics in Los Angeles 2028.

ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould expressed his excitement, emphasizing the significance of hosting the final at Lord’s, a dream venue for cricketers worldwide. He stated that this would be the largest women’s cricket event ever held in England and Wales, offering an opportunity to expand the game’s reach and attract new fans. Gould hopes the World Cup will create a lasting legacy and inspire a new generation of cricket enthusiasts.

Beth Barrett-Wild and Rob Hillman will serve as co-tournament directors.

The tournament aims to build on the success of the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup final in Australia, which drew a record crowd of 86,174 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the match between Australia and India.