ICC announces full schedule for Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the complete schedule for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held in England from June 12 to July 5.

This will be the 10th edition of the tournament and the biggest one yet, featuring 12 teams — the most in Women's T20 World Cup history. A total of 33 matches will be played over 24 days at seven famous venues across England, including Edgbaston, The Oval, Old Trafford, Headingley, Hampshire Bowl, Bristol, and Lord’s.

Hosts England will open the tournament against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12. One of the most anticipated matches of the group stage will take place on June 14, when arch-rivals India and Pakistan face each other in Group A.

Group A includes defending champions Australia, 2024 runners-up South Africa, India, Pakistan, and two teams that will qualify through the Global Qualifier.

Group B features hosts England, 2020 champions New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and two more teams from the Global Qualifier.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, which are scheduled for June 30 and July 2 at The Oval. The final will be played at Lord’s on July 5.

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt shared her excitement about playing a major tournament at home. She said the event has the potential to be a game-changer for women’s cricket and inspire young fans across the country.

“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. Playing on home soil, for the biggest prize, against the best players in the world – it’s going to be unmissable. I can’t wait to be a part of it,” he said. 

Tournament Director Beth Barrett-Wild also called the World Cup an opportunity to bring lasting change for women’s cricket and women’s sport, with world-class athletes performing in front of packed crowds at historic stadiums.

“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. At iconic venues across the country, we’ll see incredible, world-class athletes battling it out in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, who, with every ball bowled and run scored, will be contributing to lasting change. It’s our opportunity to give women’s cricket — and women’s sport — the stage it truly deserves,” she said.