Seven locations have been confirmed for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, including Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Headingley, Edgbaston, Hampshire Bowl, The Oval, and Bristol County Ground. Lord’s was also the site of the exciting 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final between England and India.
Ahead of a premiere event at the renowned London venue that will be attended by some of the biggest names in British women’s sport, it was confirmed that the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 final will take place at Lord’s on Sunday, July 5.
The competition, which aims to popularise women’s cricket by displaying the best of the world’s women’s game, begins on Friday, June 12 and ends at Lord’s after 33 matches and 24 days.
Twelve teams will go to England and Wales as part of an enlarged competition to vie for the coveted trophy, which is currently held by New Zealand.
In due time, the tournament schedule will be revealed. Teams will compete in two groups prior to the knockout stage.
Eight nations have already confirmed their spots; the final four will be chosen in a Women’s T20 World Cup qualifier the following year.
Following an assessment of a number of factors, England and Wales were chosen to host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in 2022. The seven host locations were then chosen.
Some of the biggest names in British women’s sport, including England rugby player Ellie Kildunne*, England head coach Charlotte Edwards, and England players Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, and Lauren Bell, will be present at the tournament’s official launch at Lord’s.
It will lay out a plan for the competition to become a sporting event that will hasten equality in cricket, transform the sport, and bring women’s cricket into the mainstream for good.
The venues’ confirmation was welcomed by Richard Gould, the chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Jay Shah, the chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“As we prepare for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, the confirmation of venues represents a defining moment,” stated ICC Chair Jay Shah. The best players in the world will compete in this competition, which will honour talent, camaraderie, and sportsmanship.
As we saw so vividly in previous tournaments, the United Kingdom’s diverse population has always demonstrated fervent support for all sides. There isn’t a more appropriate venue for the Women’s Cricket World Cup final than Lord’s, where the sell-out event in 2017 remains a turning point in the development of the women’s game.
“We are thrilled by the prospect of exciting T20 action that will not only enthral fans here but also serve as a showcase for cricket’s return on the Olympic stage in Los Angeles 2028 as we shift our focus to tournament preparation.”
“We are extremely 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,” stated ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould.
Naturally, the announcement that the final will be held at Lord’s is all the more remarkable. Every cricket player aspires to be a part of events like a World Cup final at Lord’s, one of the best stadiums in the world.
“This will be the largest women’s cricket event ever held in England and Wales, and it’s definitely a chance to introduce the game to a wider audience and attract both new and seasoned fans.”
Crucially, however, this isn’t just about scale; it’s also about giving players, spectators, and broadcasters a top-notch experience, making sure that the tournament accurately represents the players’ outstanding on-field performances.
Instead than being a one-time event, we want this tournament to be a part of a long-term movement. A new generation of supporters who were not exposed to women’s cricket as children yet can’t envisage sports without it will be cultivated by this World Cup.
Since the 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, the ICC’s international women’s events have seen a surge in attendance at venues and improved broadcast and digital platform viewership.
A record 86,174 people attended the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 final between Australia and India in Melbourne. The succeeding T20 World Cup finals in Cape Town (2023) and Dubai (2024) were all sold out in cities where tickets for women’s cricket had never been available before.
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