The wait is finally over. The biggest edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the history of the tournament is now being held in England, and cricket fans worldwide are tuning in to each game with great interest. The Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 calendar is spread over 24 exciting days, from June 12 to July 5, with 12 teams playing 33 matches at seven famous venues all over England. If you are following India versus Pakistan or want to go to the final at Lord’s, this comprehensive guide offers you with every fixture, group venue, and information.
Tournament
| Detail | Information |
| Edition | 10th ICC Women’s T20 World Cup |
| Host Nation | England (England and Wales Cricket Board) |
| Tournament Dates | June 12 to July 5, 2026 |
| Total Teams | 12 |
| Total Matches | 33 |
| Venues | 7 grounds across England |
| Defending Champions | New Zealand |
| Prize Pool | USD 8.76 million |
England had their last time hosting this tournament in 2009, which was also the very first edition. They lifted the trophy that year under Charlotte Edwards, who is now their head coach, thereby making this homecoming very symbolic.
Teams Competing in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
These 12 nations competing have collectively formed the largest and most quality pool that this competition ever had. The number of participant nations has been increased from ten to twelve this time to provide an opportunity to more nations worldwide.
Those teams which qualified automatically for the tournament based on rankings and last results are Australia India New Zealand Pakistan South Africa, Sri Lanka, and West Indies. England is the host country and so qualifies without any issues. The remaining four teams qualified through the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier that took place in Nepal in January and February 2026. Bangladesh, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Scotland are the four teams that secured their places there.
The Netherlands will be a part of the Women’s T20 World Cup for the very first time, a milestone which also marks the first ever appearance of the Dutch women’s team at this event. Four European countries out of the twelve competing teams is presently the tournament record.
Group Stage Draw
The 12 teams are divided into two groups with six teams each. In a round-robin system, each team plays against all other teams in the group once. Semi-finals will be played by the first two teams in the ranking of each group.
Group 1
Australia, India, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Netherlands
Group 2
England, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland
Due to the presence of Australia, India, and South Africa – three of the most powerful teams in women’s T20 cricket – Group 1 is considered as the stronger team. But, Group 2 can also create a lot of excitement as it has home team England, last-year winners New Zealand, and quite a skillful West Indies side coming on the same half of the draw.
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule
The schedule of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 was officially set in motion on June 12 with the opening game between England and Sri Lanka at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Here are the main matches, dates, and venues throughout the championship.
Group Stage Highlights
| Date | Match | Venue |
| June 12 | England vs Sri Lanka (Opening Match) | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
| June 13 | New Zealand vs West Indies | Hampshire Bowl, Southampton |
| June 13 | Australia vs South Africa | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| June 13 | Ireland vs Scotland | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| June 14 | India vs Pakistan | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
| June 17 | India vs Netherlands | Headingley, Leeds |
| June 20 | England vs Scotland | Headingley, Leeds |
| June 20 | Australia vs Netherlands | Hampshire Bowl, Southampton |
| June 28 | Australia vs India | Lord’s, London |
On June 14, India and Pakistan will face off at Edgbaston, a match that has already been touted as the most thrilling one of the group stage, and it is expected that millions of viewers worldwide will watch the game. But, the match between Australia and India at Lord’s on June 28 is the last group stage game, and it could have a major impact on the playoff qualification of both teams.
The fixture between England and Scotland on June 20 at Headingley has a historical element in it as it marks the first ever encounter of the two countries, both men’s and women’s teams, at a World Cup match held in England.
Group Stage Timeline
From June 12 to June 28, the group stage will have 30 games in total at the seven locations. Multiple matches on the same day are the norm, so the schedule is both dense and swift-moving.
Knockout Stage Schedule
Once the group stage is over, the competition goes into its knockout stages.
| Stage | Date | Venue |
| Semi-Final 1 | June 30, 2026 | The Oval, London |
| Semi-Final 2 | July 2, 2026 | The Oval, London |
| Final | July 5, 2026 | Lord’s, London |
The two semi-final matches will both be played at The Oval, London. The final, which will be held at the magnificent Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 5, is the grand finale of a very memorable tournament. After India’s semi-final qualification, they will play their semi-final match on June 30 at 1:30 PM GMT (7:00 PM IST) which is the first semi-final.
Venues for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
The venues for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England are well-known cricket stadiums, with a total of seven of them being used for the tournament.
| Venue | City |
| Edgbaston Cricket Ground | Birmingham |
| Old Trafford Cricket Ground | Manchester |
| Headingley | Leeds |
| Hampshire Bowl | Southampton |
| Bristol County Ground | Bristol |
| The Oval | London |
| Lord’s Cricket Ground | London |
Between June 6 and June 10, the County Cricket Ground in Derby, Haslegrave Ground in Loughborough, and Sophia Gardens in Cardiff Wales were the locations where the warm-up matches were played before the main event.
Prize Money Breakdown
The ICC has set aside a total cash prize of USD 8. 76 million for the 2026 tournament, which is 10% more prize money than the 2024 event.
| Finish | Prize Amount |
| Winner | Announced by ICC |
| Runner-Up | Announced by ICC |
| Semi-Finalists (per team) | USD 675,000 |
| Per Group Stage Win | USD 31,154 |
The rise in prize money is a direct reflection of the ICC’s commitment to expanding the overall investment in women’s cricket.
How to Watch Women’s T20 World Cup 2026?
Worldwide cricket enthusiasts will be able to watch live coverage of all the games of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 through the official broadcast partners.
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports carries live coverage of all 33 matches
- India: JioHotstar app and website handle streaming; Star Sports channels broadcast on television
- Bangladesh: Toffee app and RabbitholeBD platform
- Other regions: Fans should check their local ICC-affiliated broadcasters and the official ICC website for confirmed streaming options
Top Contenders for the Title
New Zealand return as title holders having clinched the 2024 edition in UAE. They are a very organised, tactically well-versed team who have the ability to hit their highest level in knockout cricket.
Australia hold the record as the most successful team in the tournament with six championships and will be extremely pumped to secure the seventh. Their batting, pace bowling, and spin lineups are so strong that make them the overall favourites.
The momentum is on India’s side as they just became the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup champions in 2025. Plus Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, and a young fast-bowling group, they have a very good chance of winning the T20 World Cup for the first time.
Unquestionably, England as the host nation have at their disposal both the backing of the crowd and the inspiration of their 2009 victory. Their current head coach Charlotte Edwards was the captain who won that first edition and that’s why the squad has a living link to the history of the tournament that serves as great inspiration.
South Africa, who have been making steady progress, will believe that they can do well in Group 1.
What Makes This Edition Historic?
The 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup breaks several records and milestones:
- First 12-team edition in the tournament’s history
- Netherlands debut, marking their first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup appearance
- Four European nations competing simultaneously (England, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland)
- England and Scotland meeting at a World Cup on home soil for the first time
- Lord’s hosting the final, one of the most prestigious grounds in world cricket
- Highest ever prize pool of USD 8.76 million
Conclusion
The scheduling of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is designed to deliver a unique experience at every stage of the competition. It’s not just about cricket it’s about moments like a thrilling opening game at Edgbaston, a once-in-the-tournament clash between India and Pakistan, all-European fixtures, and a spectacular Lord’s final. This event promises to be by far the largest and most unforgettable one in the history of these championships. With 12 teams participating, 7 top-level venues, and a prize fund nearing $9 million, the ICC has perfectly matched the stage of women’s cricket being right at the heart of the global sport, today.
Save the dates, reserve your tickets, and get ready to experience 24 magnificent days of women’s cricket in England!
Read more: Women’s Cricket World Cup Final | India Women’s Cricket World Cup Winners List
