The global stage is officially set for the highly anticipated 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The elite month-long tournament is scheduled to begin on June 12, 2026, bringing together the finest international cricketers.
England and Wales are hosting this landmark edition, which makes history as the largest version of the tournament to date.
A record-breaking 12 national teams will compete for the ultimate trophy in women’s short-format cricket.
This premium event marks the return of the tournament to England for the first time since the inaugural competition in 2009.
During that historic first edition, the host nation lifted the championship trophy under the leadership of Charlotte Edwards.
In an inspiring storyline for the host country, Charlotte Edwards now serves as the head coach of the England national women’s cricket team.
The English squad will also look to replicate the energy of their memorable 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup victory on home soil.
Meanwhile, New Zealand enters the competition with momentum as the defending champions of the tournament.
The White Ferns secured their maiden crown during the 2024 edition held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
By winning in 2024, New Zealand became only the fourth unique country to lift the trophy since 2009.
Historically, England won the first edition in 2009, while the West Indies captured their single title in 2016.
Australia continues to stand as the most dominant force in tournament history, having captured the world title six times.
Tournament Qualification and Expanded Groups
The journey to the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup details reveals a mix of direct qualifiers and emerging nations.
Hosts England earned automatic entry into the tournament alongside seven other powerhouse nations.
Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the West Indies advanced via their ICC rankings.
The remaining four slots were determined through the grueling ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier held earlier this year.
Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands successfully booked their tickets through the qualifying tournament.
The inclusion of the Netherlands is historic, as they are set to make their official Women’s T20 World Cup debut.
Their successful campaign marks a major developmental milestone for the growth of European women’s cricket.
To accommodate the expansion, the International Cricket Council (ICC) split the 12 teams into two competitive groups of six.
Group A features reigning champions Australia, alongside Bangladesh, India, the Netherlands, Pakistan, and South Africa.
Group B consists of hosts England, alongside Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies.
The opening round-robin stage will see each country play their five group opponents exactly once.
The top two point-scorers from each group will officially qualify for the knockout semi-finals.
Venues, Warm-Ups, and Record Prize Pool
The ICC has designated seven premier venues across England to host the 33 scheduled matches.
Matches will take place at Old Trafford (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), and Edgbaston (Birmingham).
Games are also scheduled for the Bristol County Ground (Bristol) and the Hampshire Bowl (Southampton).
London will feature heavily, with matches split between The Oval and the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Before the official tournament begins, all 12 squads will participate in two mandatory warm-up matches.
These preparatory fixtures start on June 6 and will be hosted across Derby, Loughborough, and Cardiff.
The critical knockout semi-finals are scheduled at The Oval on June 30 and July 2.
The tournament will conclude with the grand final at Lord’s on July 5.
Financial stakes have reached an all-time high with a record prize pool of USD 8,764,615.
This figure represents a substantial 10 percent increase from the previous tournament’s payout structure.
The tournament champions will take home a grand prize of USD 2,340,000.
The finishing runners-up are set to receive a payout of USD 1,170,000.
Losing semi-finalists will receive USD 675,000 each, while every group-stage victory awards USD 31,154.
Crucially, the ICC guarantees a minimum financial payout of USD 247,500 for every participating nation.
This financial boost directly reflects the global governing body’s goal to strengthen women’s sports.
With giants like Australia and India facing debutants like the Netherlands, this event promises unparalleled competition.
Global Broadcast Information
Cricket fans can access the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup through a wide network of official broadcasters.
In India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, matches will air on Star Sports and stream on JioHotstar.
In the host territories of England and Wales, Sky Sports holds the exclusive broadcasting rights.
Fans watching from Australia can stream every match live through Prime Video.
New Zealand cricket fans can follow the White Ferns on Sky Sport.
In Pakistan, the tournament will be accessible via PTV Sports, Geo Super, and the Myco app.
SuperSport will provide complete coverage across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Viewers in the United States and Canada can watch the tournament live on Willow TV.
For regions without an official broadcast partner, the ICC will stream matches live via ICC.tv.
Official 2026 Tournament Squads
Group A
- Australia: Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
- Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter (vc), Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Islam Trisna, Marufa Akter, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Taj Nehar
- India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav
- Netherlands: Babette de Leede (c), Caroline de Lange, Frédérique Overdijk, Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Iris Zwilling, Isabel van der Woning, Lara Leemhuis, Myrthe van den Raad, Phebe Molkenboer, Robine Rijke, Rosalie Lawrence, Sanya Khurana, Silver Siegers, Sterre Kalis
- Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Iram Javed, Eyman Fatima, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Parvaiz, Saira Jabeen, Muneeba Ali, Tuba Hassan, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Tasmia Rubab
- South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Nierkerk
Group B
- England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
- Ireland: Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector
- New Zealand: Melie Kerr (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu
- Scotland: Kathryn Bryce (c), Chloe Abel, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Gabriella Fontenla, Katherine Fraser, Kirstie Gordon, Ailsa Lister, Maisie Maceira, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul
- Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kaveesha Dilhari, Hansima Karunarathne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Chethana Vimukthi, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhy
- West Indies: Hayley Matthews (c), Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Jannillea Glasgow, Jahzara Claxton, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Shawnisha Hector
FAQs on 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup details
When does the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begin?
- The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 12, 2026, with warm-up matches starting earlier on June 6, 2026.
Where can fans stream the tournament matches in India?
- Cricket fans in India can stream all the matches live digitally via the JioHotstar platform.
What is the total prize money pool for the 2026 edition?
- The International Cricket Council has announced a record total prize pool of USD 8,764,615 for the competition.