The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 promises to be a defining chapter in the evolution of women’s cricket. Scheduled to be hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the tournament marks the tenth edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup and returns to England, where it all began in 2009. With an expanded field of 12 teams, 33 matches, and seven iconic venues, the 2026 edition reflects the rapid growth, competitiveness, and global reach of the women’s game.
Defending champions New Zealand will arrive with confidence, while traditional powerhouses and emerging nations prepare to battle for cricket’s most coveted T20 prize at Lord’s on 5 July 2026.
The Women’s T20 World Cup has been held biennially since its inception and has steadily grown in stature and scale. The 2026 tournament is significant not just for its milestone tenth edition, but also for its expansion from 10 teams to 12, underlining the ICC’s commitment to inclusivity and global development.
The previous edition in 2024, hosted in the UAE, was won by New Zealand, who defeated South Africa in a memorable final. That tournament showcased the increasing depth in women’s cricket, a trend expected to continue, and intensify, in England.
The qualification structure for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup ensures a balanced mix of elite teams and rising challengers:
Host Nation: England
Top 5 teams from the 2024 World Cup: Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies
ICC Women’s T20I Rankings: Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Global Qualifier: Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland
This diverse lineup brings together established champions, consistent contenders, and ambitious associate nations adding unpredictability and excitement to the group stages. The 12 qualified teams are divided into two groups of six. Each team plays every other team in its group once, resulting in 15 group matches per group.
England’s rich cricketing heritage provides a fitting backdrop for the tournament. Matches will be played across seven venues, blending tradition with modern infrastructure: The Oval, London, Old Trafford, Manchester, Headingley, Leeds, Edgbaston, Birmingham, Rose Bowl, Southampton and Bristol County Ground.
Lord’s, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket,” will host the final on 5 July 2026, adding historic weight to the championship decider.
Ahead of the main event, teams will play warm-up matches at: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, County Cricket Ground, Derby and Haslegrave Ground, Loughborough. These fixtures will allow teams to adapt to English conditions and fine-tune combinations before the tournament proper begins.
With packed schedules, day-night encounters, and historic rivalries, the group phase is expected to draw strong crowds and global viewership. From expanded participation and elite venues to competitive balance and global representation, this edition reflects how far women’s cricket has come and where it is headed.
As England prepares to welcome the world, the stage is set for unforgettable performances, new heroes, and a champion worthy of lifting the trophy at the Home of Cricket.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Match Schedule
12 June 2026 – England vs Sri Lanka, Edgbaston, Birmingham, 11:00 PM IST
13 June 2026 – Qualifier vs Qualifier, Old Trafford, Manchester, 3:00 PM IST
13 June 2026 – Australia vs South Africa, Old Trafford, Manchester, 7:00 PM IST
13 June 2026 – New Zealand vs West Indies, Rose Bowl, Southampton, 11:00 PM IST
14 June 2026 – Qualifier vs Qualifier, Edgbaston, Birmingham, 3:00 PM IST
14 June 2026 – India vs Pakistan, Edgbaston, Birmingham, 7:00 PM IST
16 June 2026 – New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Rose Bowl, Southampton, 7:00 PM IST
16 June 2026 – England vs Qualifier, Rose Bowl, Southampton, 11:00 PM IST
17 June 2026 – Australia vs Qualifier, Headingley, Leeds, 3:00 PM IST
17 June 2026 – India vs Qualifier, Headingley, Leeds, 7:00 PM IST
17 June 2026 – Pakistan vs South Africa, Edgbaston, Birmingham, 11:00 PM IST
18 June 2026 – West Indies vs Qualifier, Headingley, Leeds, 11:00 PM IST
19 June 2026 – New Zealand vs Qualifier, Rose Bowl, Southampton, 11:00 PM IST
20 June 2026 – Australia vs Qualifier, Rose Bowl, Southampton, 3:00 PM IST
20 June 2026 – Pakistan vs Qualifier, Old Trafford, Manchester, 7:00 PM IST
20 June 2026 – England vs Qualifier, Headingley, Leeds, 11:00 PM IST
21 June 2026 – India vs South Africa, Old Trafford, Manchester, 7:00 PM IST
23 June 2026 – Australia vs Pakistan, Headingley, Leeds, 11:00 PM IST
23 June 2026 – New Zealand vs Qualifier, County Ground, Bristol, 3:00 PM IST
24 June 2026 – England vs West Indies, Lord’s, London, 11:00 PM IST
25 June 2026 – India vs Qualifier, Old Trafford, Manchester, 7:00 PM IST
25 June 2026 – South Africa vs Qualifier, County Ground, Bristol, 11:00 PM IST
26 June 2026 – Sri Lanka vs Qualifier, Old Trafford, Manchester, 11:00 PM IST
27 June 2026 – Pakistan vs Qualifier, County Ground, Bristol, 3:00 PM IST
27 June 2026 – West Indies vs Qualifier, County Ground, Bristol, 7:00 PM IST
27 June 2026 – England vs New Zealand, The Oval, London, 11:00 PM IST
28 June 2026 – South Africa vs Qualifier, Lord’s, London, 3:00 PM IST
28 June 2026 – Australia vs India, Lord’s, London, 7:00 PM IST
30 June 2026 – Semi-final 1, The Oval, London, 7:00 PM IST
2 July 2026 – Semi-final 2, The Oval, London, 11:00 PM IST
5 July 2026 – Final, Lord’s, London, 7:00 PM IST
