The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 brings twelve nations to England for the biggest edition of the tournament in its history. Running from 12 June to 5 July across seven iconic venues, the tenth edition of the competition culminates with the final at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Defending champions New Zealand, led by new captain Amelia Kerr, will look to retain the title they won for the first time in 2024, while six-time winners Australia and hosts England head a formidable field.
What is the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup?
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is the premier global tournament in women’s Twenty20 International cricket, organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC). First held in 2009, it has grown from an eight-team event into the sport’s marquee showcase for women’s cricket.
The 2026 edition marks a significant expansion, with twelve teams competing for the first time in the tournament’s history. The teams are split into two groups of six: Group 1 comprises Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands, while Group 2 features England, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Scotland and Ireland. Each team plays the other five sides in their group once, totalling 30 group stage matches. The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals, followed by the final. In total, 33 matches will be played across 24 days.
When is the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026?
The tournament runs from Thursday 12 June to Sunday 5 July 2026. The opening match sees hosts England take on Sri Lanka at Edgbaston, Birmingham on 12 June. Group stage matches continue through to late June, with the highly anticipated India versus Pakistan clash scheduled for Saturday 14 June at Edgbaston.
The semi-finals take place in early July, with the final set for Sunday 5 July at Lord’s, London, with a scheduled start time of 14:30 BST. The extended 24-day schedule allows rest days between rounds and gives fans ample opportunity to attend multiple matches across the country.
Where is the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026?
England and Wales host the tournament across seven Test and international-standard venues. Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket” with a capacity of approximately 30,000, hosts the showpiece final. The other six venues are Edgbaston in Birmingham, Old Trafford in Manchester, Headingley in Leeds, the Hampshire Bowl (Utilita Bowl) in Southampton, The Oval in London and the Bristol County Ground.
The spread of venues across the country, from the south coast to Yorkshire, ensures the tournament reaches communities throughout England. Each ground brings its own character: Edgbaston and Old Trafford are established international venues with modern facilities, while The Oval and Lord’s offer the historic atmosphere of London cricket. Bristol County Ground provides an intimate setting that has become a favourite for women’s international matches.
Key Contenders
New Zealand (Defending Champions): The White Ferns arrive as reigning champions after their historic maiden title in 2024, when they defeated South Africa by 32 runs in the final in Dubai. Now captained by Amelia Kerr, who took over the all-format captaincy from the retired Sophie Devine, New Zealand are a formidable unit. Kerr, the tournament’s player of the series in 2024 with 15 wickets, marked her captaincy debut with a record-breaking T20I century. The experienced Devine remains available as a player on a casual contract, adding depth and experience to the squad.
Australia: Six-time champions and the most dominant force in Women’s T20 World Cup history, Australia will be determined to reclaim the trophy after their semi-final exit in 2024. With Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner all ranked among the world’s top T20I batters, and leg-spinner Alana King topping the ICC T20I bowling rankings, Australia possess quality throughout their lineup. Their record of reaching seven finals in nine editions speaks to a consistency no other team can match.
England (Hosts): The 2009 champions will have home crowd advantage and the motivation of performing in front of their own supporters at some of the country’s finest grounds. Natalie Sciver-Brunt remains the heartbeat of the batting order, while the team’s familiarity with English conditions could prove decisive. England have a point to prove after inconsistent recent tournament performances.
India: Ranked among the world’s elite, India boast the ICC’s number one ranked T20I batter in Smriti Mandhana, whose combination of elegance and power makes her one of the most watchable players in the game. India reached the 2020 final and will fancy their chances in a group alongside Australia and South Africa, with the squad’s depth in spin bowling ideally suited to English conditions.
South Africa: Consecutive runners-up in 2023 and 2024, South Africa are the team that keeps knocking on the door. Laura Wolvaardt, ranked second in the T20I batting charts, leads a side packed with match-winners who will be desperate to finally convert their consistency into a maiden title.
How to Watch
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be broadcast extensively around the world. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports holds the rights to all ICC events, with every match shown live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event. Sky Sports packages start from £35 per month, or £20 for existing Sky TV subscribers. NOW Sports passes offer an alternative at £34.99 per month or £14.99 for a day pass.
In the United States, Willow TV is the dedicated cricket broadcaster, available through Sling TV’s Desi Binge Plus or Dakshin Flex plans from $10 per month. Australian viewers can watch on Prime Video, with subscriptions costing AU$6.99 per month or AU$59 per year, including a 30-day free trial. In India, Star Sports broadcasts on television with digital streaming available on JioHotstar.
For fans in other territories, ICC.tv offers streaming in select regions. Radio commentary will also be available through the BBC’s coverage in the UK, providing free-to-air access for those unable to watch on television.
History and Records
The Women’s T20 World Cup was inaugurated in 2009 in England, with the hosts winning the first edition. Since then, Australia have been the tournament’s dominant force, claiming six of the nine titles held to date (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023). West Indies broke the Australian stranglehold in 2016 with a famous victory, while New Zealand’s triumph in 2024 delivered one of the sport’s greatest underdog stories.
Australia’s Meg Lanning holds the record as the tournament’s all-time leading run-scorer, while Amelia Kerr’s 15 wickets in the 2024 edition set a new benchmark for a single tournament. The competition has grown steadily from its modest eight-team beginnings, with the expansion to twelve teams in 2026 reflecting the rapid growth of women’s cricket worldwide. South Africa and India have both reached finals without winning, making them the most prominent teams still seeking a maiden title.
This will be only the second time the tournament has been held in England, returning to where it all began in 2009. The 2026 edition is the first to be staged in a traditional English summer window, with previous editions held in the southern hemisphere or in autumn scheduling.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 are now on general sale through the official tournament website at tickets.womens.t20worldcup.com. Following an initial ballot and priority sale process, remaining tickets are available for most group stage matches across all seven venues. Tickets are offered in Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze categories to suit different budgets.
The final at Lord’s on 5 July has proved the most sought-after fixture, with tickets currently listed as out of availability on the official portal. Hospitality packages are available at selected venues, with options at the Hampshire Bowl (Utilita Bowl) starting from £84 per person including VAT. Tickets are delivered digitally via the ICC app approximately one month before the tournament begins.
For sold-out fixtures, fans should monitor the official resale platform, as returned tickets may become available closer to match days. The ICC advises purchasing only through official channels to avoid counterfeit tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 start?
The tournament begins on Thursday 12 June 2026, with hosts England playing Sri Lanka at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Where is the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 being held?
The tournament takes place across seven venues in England: Lord’s, Edgbaston, Old Trafford, Headingley, The Oval, the Hampshire Bowl and Bristol County Ground. The final is at Lord’s, London.
How can I watch the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026?
In the UK, Sky Sports broadcasts all matches. In the US, watch on Willow TV via Sling TV. In Australia, Prime Video holds the rights. In India, coverage is on Star Sports and JioHotstar.
Who won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup last time?
New Zealand won their maiden title in 2024, defeating South Africa by 32 runs in the final in Dubai, UAE. Amelia Kerr was named player of the tournament.