The 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is set to begin on June 12 at Edgbaston, with hosts England taking on Sri Lanka in the opening match, according to the schedule announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday. The month-long tournament will feature 33 matches and culminate with the final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 5.
Twelve teams will be divided into two groups of six. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, scheduled at The Oval on June 30 and July 2. Apart from the opening clash, one of the most anticipated games — the India vs Pakistan showdown — will also be played at Edgbaston, on June 14.
Group Breakdown:
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Group 1: Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, and two qualifiers
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Group 2: England, West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and two qualifiers
In addition to Edgbaston, matches will be hosted at several prominent venues, including Lord’s, The Oval, Old Trafford, Bristol County Ground, and the Ageas Bowl in Hampshire. Matches will be held in three time slots — 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM, and 6:30 PM local time.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt expressed her excitement about leading the home side in such a prestigious tournament. “World Cups are always special, but this one already feels different – it has the potential to be truly game-changing. It’s going to be a huge moment for our sport and a brilliant opportunity to inspire young people and captivate fans across the country,” she said.
Tournament Director Beth Barrett-Wild emphasized the event’s broader impact on women’s cricket. “The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to transform a month of sporting excellence into a movement that will rewrite the narrative about women’s cricket. It’s our opportunity to give women’s cricket, and women’s sport, the stage it deserves,” she stated.
With matches set to be played at some of England’s most iconic venues and a strong field of global contenders, the 2026 edition promises to be a landmark moment in the history of women’s cricket.
