The historic Lord’s Cricket Ground will host the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, set for July 5, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday.
Seven venues across England have been confirmed to host matches during the tournament: Lord’s, Edgbaston, The Oval, Old Trafford, Headingley, Hampshire Bowl, and Bristol County Ground.
Set to begin on June 12, the tournament will run for 24 days and feature 33 matches, culminating in the grand finale at Lord’s. The full schedule will be revealed at a later date.
This 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will feature a record 12 teams — the largest line-up in the tournament’s history — promising the most competitive edition yet. The 12 teams will be divided into two groups of six, with the top teams progressing to the knockout stages and final.
Eight teams have already secured direct qualification: hosts England, along with Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. The remaining four spots will be filled through a qualifying tournament next year.
Commenting on the announcement, 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.”
He added, “The sell-out Women’s World Cup final at Lord’s in 2017 remains a landmark moment in the rise of women’s cricket. I cannot think of a more fitting venue for the 2026 final. With cricket’s return to the Olympic stage at Los Angeles 2028, this World Cup will further elevate the global profile of the women’s game.”
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chief Executive Richard Gould echoed the excitement: “We are hugely excited to host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 and proud to confirm the seven iconic venues. It’s especially meaningful to announce that the final will take place at Lord’s – a dream setting for any cricketer.”
He emphasized the tournament’s broader impact, saying, “This will be the biggest women’s cricket event ever held in England and Wales. Beyond scale, our goal is to deliver a world-class experience for players, fans, and broadcasters, and inspire a new generation of supporters. We want this World Cup to be a movement — not just a moment.”
The 2026 edition will mark a major milestone for the Women’s T20 World Cup, which began in 2009. The most recent tournament, hosted by Bangladesh in the UAE in 2024, saw New Zealand lift their maiden title after defeating South Africa by 32 runs in the final.
(With ANI inputs)
