Press release -
Birmingham to take centre stage as ICC Women’s T20 World Cup kicks off at Edgbaston
Cricket’s global spotlight will fall on Birmingham next summer as Edgbaston hosts the opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. England Women will kick off the tournament at the heart of the country on 12 June 2026. The countdown is now on!
Hosting the tournament opener is a major moment for Birmingham, a city known for its passionate sporting fanbase and proud cricketing heritage. The match will set the tone for what promises to be a groundbreaking summer, taking women’s cricket firmly into the mainstream.
Fans can register their interest now to be the first to get their hands on tickets when an exclusive pre-sale window opens on 12 June 2025. Tickets for the opening game will start at £15 for adults and £5 for juniors.
England Women’s Amy Jones, who grew up playing cricket in the region, said: “To have the first match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Edgbaston is super exciting. Playing a home World Cup is something every cricketer dreams of — and for it to kick off where my cricket journey began makes it even more special.”
Beyond Birmingham, the tournament will continue its nationwide journey, before heading to London where The Oval is set to host both semi-final clashes, while the final will take place at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on 5 July 2026. Both semi-finals will light up London at The Oval on 30 June and 2 July 2026, with tickets from £20 for adults and £10 for juniors, while final tickets start at £30 and £15.
England Women’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge also added: “World Cups are a chance to play against the best of the best, and I can’t wait to compete on that stage on home soil. With the semi-finals at The Oval and the final at Lord’s, London will be buzzing with world-class cricket. It’s going to be a summer to remember!”
Over the course of 24 days, a total of 33 matches will be played across seven top-tier venues, including Old Trafford Cricket Ground (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), The Hampshire Bowl (Southampton), and Bristol County Ground. Each ground will play its part in showcasing world-class cricket to fans across the country.
The expanded competition will see 12 teams descend on England and Wales to compete for the prestigious trophy that is currently held by New Zealand.
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.
Exclusive presale tickets for the opening match, the semi-finals and the final will be available to purchase on 12 June 2025, with fans encouraged to register their interest now to be first in line to buy.
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Notes to editors
About the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will take place in England and Wales from the 12th June to the 5thJuly next summer. Over the course of 24 days, a total of 33 matches will be played across seven top-tier venues, including Old Trafford Cricket Ground (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), The Hampshire Bowl (Southampton), and Bristol County Ground. The newly expanded competition will see 12 teams competing for the prestigious trophy currently held by New Zealand.
