Edgbaston has been selected as one of seven host venues for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026.
The competition will kick off on Friday 12 June before culminating with the final at Lord’s on Sunday 5 July, 33 fixtures and 24 days later, showcasing the best of the global women’s game.
An expanded competition will see 12 teams descend on England and Wales to compete for the prestigious trophy that is currently held by New Zealand.
The schedule of the tournament, which will see the teams competing in two groups followed by a knockout stage, will be announced in due course.
Register your interest HERE via the ICC website to secure exclusive pre-sale ticket access.
Edgbaston has recent success in hosting international women’s fixtures including the first ever Women’s T20 competition at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and a record crowd for the Women’s Ashes fixture in 2023 in which almost 20,000 fans filled the venue for the T20 fixture.
Eight countries are already sure of their place, with the final four participants to be decided through a Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier next year.
England and Wales were awarded hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in 2022, with the seven host venues selected subsequently following evaluation of various criteria.
The competition will be officially launched at an event at Lord’s today (May 1), featuring some of the biggest names in British women’s sport, including England Head Coach Charlotte Edwards, England stars Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell, and England rugby player Ellie Kildunne. It will set out a vision for the tournament to be a sporting spectacle which can accelerate equality in cricket and change the game for good, taking women’s cricket into the mainstream permanently.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Chair Jay Shah and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chief Executive Richard Gould welcomed the confirmation of the venues.
ICC Chair Jay Shah said: “The confirmation of venues represents a defining moment as we build towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. This tournament will bring together the world’s finest players in a celebration of skill, spirit and sportsmanship.
“The United Kingdom’s rich diversity has always shown passionate support for all teams, something we witnessed so memorably at past events. The sell-out Women’s Cricket World Cup final at Lord’s in 2017 remains a landmark in the rise of the women’s game, and I cannot think of a more fitting stage for the final.
“As we turn our focus to preparing for the tournament, we are excited by the promise of thrilling T20 action that will not only captivate fans here but also serve as a showcase for cricket’s return on the Olympic stage in Los Angeles 2028.”
ECB Chief Executive Officer Richard Gould said: “We are hugely excited for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, and thrilled to be able to confirm the seven iconic venues that will host the tournament.
“It is of course extra special to announce that the final will be taking place at Lord’s. It is one of the finest venues in world cricket and every cricketer dreams of being part of occasions like a World Cup final at Lord’s.
“This will be the biggest women’s cricket event ever staged in England and Wales and is undoubtedly an opportunity to take the game to more people than ever before and welcome in new fans – young and old.
“Crucially though this isn’t just about scale, it’s about providing a world-class experience for players, fans and broadcasters alike, ensuring that the tournament reflects the elite performance of the players on the pitch.
“We want this competition to be part of a long-term movement, and not just a single moment in time. This World Cup will grow a new generation of fans who didn’t grow up with women’s cricket but will never imagine sport without it.”
Register your interest HERE via the ICC website to secure exclusive pre-sale ticket access.
