ICC Announces Full Schedule for 2026 Women's T20 World Cup in England
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially released the comprehensive schedule for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, setting the stage for what promises to be the largest and most competitive edition in the tournament's history. Scheduled to take place from June 12 to July 5 in England, this event will feature 12 teams vying for the coveted title, marking a significant expansion in participation and global interest.
Tournament Overview and Key Details
Hosts England will kick off the tournament with a high-profile opening match against Sri Lanka on June 12 at Edgbaston, initiating a nearly month-long spectacle of cricketing excellence. The grand finale is set for July 5 at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, a venue steeped in cricketing tradition. In a highly anticipated clash, India will commence their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 14 at Edgbaston, adding to the excitement of the group stages.
This edition boasts the largest field ever assembled for the competition, with Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands securing the final four spots through a qualifying tournament in Nepal. They join defending champions New Zealand, six-time winners Australia, 2016 champions West Indies, hosts England, ODI world champions India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, ensuring a diverse and competitive lineup.
Group Stage Breakdown and High-Profile Matches
The group stage is divided into two pools, each packed with thrilling encounters. Group A includes heavyweights such as Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, and tournament debutants the Netherlands. Group B features England, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland, and Scotland. This structure sets the stage for numerous high-stakes matches, including key rivalries and potential upsets.
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta highlighted the significance of this schedule release, stating, "The release of the schedule is an important milestone in the run-up to the global, premier sporting event." He emphasized the ICC's ongoing investment in women's cricket, focusing on expanded participation, improved pathways, enhanced production standards, and increased commercial opportunities. Gupta added that recent global events have elevated the women's game, and he expressed confidence that the 2026 tournament will further boost its popularity and global reach.
"The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in India served as a force multiplier for the sport - breaking records, capturing imaginations and inspiring communities - and our ambition is to carry the momentum into the event in June-July," he remarked, underscoring the tournament's potential to inspire future generations.
Complete Match Schedule for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026
Below is the full schedule of matches, providing fans with a detailed roadmap of the action-packed tournament:
- Friday June 12: England v Sri Lanka, Edgbaston, 18:30 BST
- Saturday June 13: Scotland v Ireland, Old Trafford Cricket Ground, 10:30 BST; Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford Cricket Ground, 14:30 BST; West Indies v New Zealand, Hampshire Bowl, 18:30 BST
- Sunday June 14: Bangladesh v Netherlands, Edgbaston, 10:30 BST; India v Pakistan, Edgbaston, 14:30 BST
- Tuesday June 16: New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Hampshire Bowl, 14:30 BST; England v Ireland, Hampshire Bowl, 18:30 BST
- Wednesday June 17: Australia v Bangladesh, Headingley, 10:30 BST; India v Netherlands, Headingley, 14:30 BST; South Africa v Pakistan, Edgbaston, 18:30 BST
- Thursday June 18: West Indies v Scotland, Headingley, 18:30 BST
- Friday June 19: New Zealand v Ireland, Hampshire Bowl, 18:30 BST
- Saturday June 20: Australia v Netherlands, Hampshire Bowl, 10:30 BST; Pakistan v Bangladesh, Hampshire Bowl, 14:30 BST; England v Scotland, Headingley, 18:30 BST
- Sunday June 21: West Indies v Sri Lanka, Bristol County Ground, 10:30 BST; South Africa v India, Old Trafford Cricket Ground, 14:30 BST
- Tuesday June 23: New Zealand v Scotland, Bristol County Ground, 10:30 BST; Sri Lanka v Ireland, Bristol County Ground, 14:30 BST; Australia v Pakistan, Headingley, 18:30 BST
- Wednesday June 24: England v West Indies, Lord's Cricket Ground, 18:30 BST
- Thursday June 25: India v Bangladesh, Old Trafford Cricket Ground, 14:30 BST; South Africa v Netherlands, Bristol County Ground, 18:30 BST
- Friday June 26: Sri Lanka v Scotland, Old Trafford Cricket Ground, 18:30 BST
- Saturday June 27: Pakistan v Netherlands, Bristol County Ground, 10:30 BST; West Indies v Ireland, Bristol County Ground, 14:30 BST; England v New Zealand, The Oval, 18:30 BST
- Sunday June 28: South Africa v Bangladesh, Lord's Cricket Ground, 10:30 BST; Australia v India, Lord's Cricket Ground, 14:30 BST
- Tuesday June 30: Semi Final 1, TBC v TBC, The Oval, 14:30 BST
- Thursday July 2: Semi Final 2, TBC v TBC, The Oval, 18:30 BST
- Sunday July 5: The Final, TBC v TBC, Lord's Cricket Ground, 14:30 BST
This detailed schedule ensures that cricket enthusiasts worldwide can mark their calendars for a summer filled with intense competition and memorable moments, as the best women's cricketers converge in England for a historic showdown.
