The oldest domestic T20 competition in the world returns this week, with the 2026 Vitality Blast set for an enthralling opening weekend, starting on Friday 22 May.
Both Warwickshire Bears’ teams get their tournament under way on the road, with the men travelling to Bristol to take on Gloucestershire, while the women start their campaign against Essex at the County Ground in Chelmsford. Then two days later, it’s Blast Off at EdgBLASTon, with both teams in action against Somerset as part of a Bank Holiday double-header.
Before the competition gets under way, here’s how the Vitality Blast works…
On-field
Batting first, teams have 20 overs to score as many runs as possible. Batting second, try to knock off the runs. Bowlers trying to restrict runs and take wickets. Batters looking to hit boundaries. It’s that simple.
EgdBLASTon schedule
EdgBLASTon hosts seven T20 matchdays in 2026, starting with Blast Off on Sunday 24 May, where tickets remain on offer at £15 for adults and £5 for U16s. That marks the first of five home double-headers throughout the campaign, which includes the biggest T20 fixture of the year; the Bears v Pears on Friday 26 June.
Competition format – Men
The men’s Vitality Blast has a new format this year, to allow for more regionalised fixtures. Previously two groups, for 2026 there will be three groups of six teams, reducing the number of group-stage matches to 12. Each team will play the five sides in their group home and away, in addition to one home match against a county outside their group and one away match against another county from outside their group.
The Bears’ group includes Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire Steelbacks, Somerset and Worcestershire Rapids.
For the knockout rounds, the top two teams in each group will qualify for the quarter finals in addition to the two best third-placed teams. The winners of each quarter final qualify for Finals Day which will once again take place at EdgBLASTon.
Competition format – Women
In the women’s competition, nine teams make up the Tier One league and nine make up the Tier Two league, with the Bears in Tier One. The Bears will play 12 group-stage matches – six home and six away. They will play four counties twice and four counties once.
The top four counties in Tier One at the end of the group stage will progress to Finals Day, which will include two semi-finals and the final. The same format applies for the nine teams in Tier Two.