All 12 captains for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at Captain's Carnival on Waterloo Bridge (Credit: ICC / Getty Images)
Press release —
Waterloo Bridge transformed into cricket carnival as ICC Women's T20 World Cup arrives in England and Wales
- London’s iconic Waterloo Bridge transformed into a live cricket pitch for the first time in its history as ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 launched in unmissable fashion
- Captains of all 12 participating nations unite publicly for the first time in a show-stopping Captain’s Carnival
- Fans from London and host cities across the country took part in street-themed cricket games and entertainment as England and Wales gears up to host the best in women’s cricket
- Don’t miss out on the chance to be a part of history – final tickets available at: tickets.womens.t20worldcup.com
Waterloo Bridge was transformed into a live cricket pitch for the first time today as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 launched in London, bringing together all 12 team captains ahead of the tournament’s opening match on 12 June.
The bridge swapped traffic for cricket as all 12 captains of the competing nations gathered on a purpose-built cricket pitch against the backdrop of iconic London landmarks Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye, just five days before the tournament begins in England and Wales.
Stepping off a quintessential red double-decker bus, the world’s best players took part in cricketing challenges in front of gathered crowds above the Thames. The event marked the first public gathering of all 12 captains ahead of the tournament, providing a striking backdrop as teams get set to compete to become world champions.
Fans from across the capital and tournament host cities of Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and Southampton were invited to take part in street cricket and interactive games, transforming Waterloo Bridge into an open-air celebration of cricket. Roaming performers brought the colour and energy of competing nations to the capital, signalling that the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has officially arrived in England and Wales.
England Women’s captain Nat Sciver-Brunt said: "Playing cricket on Waterloo Bridge isn't something you get to do every day. It's a special way to kick off a home tournament that's for sure!
"The excitement has been building for such a long time now and the squad is ready. We've put in the hard work, the practice and the performances now over several months, and we just can’t wait to get out there in front of the crowds and give it everything we've got."
ICC Chairman, Jay Shah said: “This is a landmark moment for women’s Cricket and a fitting way to launch what we believe will be the most exciting and ambitious ICC Women’s T20 World Cup ever staged. This will help elevate the buzz and excitement around the event, providing the final boost to the anticipation for the tournament before the first ball is bowled on June 12 in Birmingham. This event is another expression of the ICC’s commitment and belief linked to the agenda of building a more inclusive, global game.”
Beth Barrett-Wild, ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Tournament Director said: “Today felt pretty surreal - we turned Waterloo Bridge into a cricket pitch and assembled 12 of the best female players on the planet, alongside hundreds of fans, to play on it! It's a brilliant reminder that the T20 World Cup is almost here and the sheer scale of our ambition. The excitement is building every day, and with fans already snapping up tickets in record numbers, the tournament is shaping up to be one of the unmissable events of the summer.”
This summer, England and Wales will host the best cricketers on the planet as teams from across the globe compete for the ultimate prize. From the opening match at Edgbaston (Birmingham) to the final at Lord's Cricket Ground (London), matches will be played across host cities including Old Trafford (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), Hampshire Bowl (Southampton), Bristol County Ground (Bristol) and The Oval (London). The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 promises fierce rivalries, memorable moments and a festival atmosphere at every venue.
The 12 competing nations are England, India, Australia, Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.
Get ready to catch the spirit this summer and be a part of history. Secure your tickets for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 HERE.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For more information, please contact womensworldcupmedia@ecb.co.uk
About ECB
The ECB is the national governing body for cricket in England and Wales, responsible for developing and supporting all levels of the game from recreational cricket to the national teams. The ECB’s strategic goal “Inspiring Generations” is to encourage more young people to form a lifelong relationship with the game so that a new generation of fans will say “cricket is the game for me.”
About ICC
The ICC is cricket’s global governing body, representing 110 members worldwide. It oversees major tournaments such as the Men’s and Women’s Cricket and T20 World Cups, enforces the Code of Conduct on professional standards and playing conditions (with the MCC responsible for the Laws of Cricket), appoints match officials for all international formats, and combats corruption through its Anti-Corruption Unit. Its Development department also works with Associate Members to strengthen cricket systems, raise standards, and grow the game globally.
About ICC 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will take place in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July next summer. Over the course of 24 days, a total of 33 matches will be played across seven top-tier venues – Edgbaston (Birmingham), Old Trafford Cricket Ground (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), Hampshire Bowl (Southampton), Bristol County Ground (Bristol), The Oval (London), and Lord’s (London). The newly expanded competition will see 12 teams competing for the prestigious trophy currently held by New Zealand.
All matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with selected fixtures, including the opening game and Wicked pre-match performance, also broadcast free-to-air via Sky Mix, the Sky Sports YouTube channel and the Sky Sports app. Fans can also listen to ball-by-ball coverage on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live, and follow live on the BBC Sport website from 12th June - 5th July.
