The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 is set to commence on June 12, marking the largest edition of the tournament with a record 12 teams participating for the first time. Hosted across England and Wales, the month-long competition will run until July 5 and feature 33 matches at seven iconic venues, including Lord's, The Oval, Old Trafford, and Headingley.
Defending Champions and Favorites
Defending champions New Zealand will return to defend the title they won in 2024. Powerhouses such as Australia, England, India, South Africa, and West Indies are among the favorites. The tournament also marks a historic moment for the Netherlands, who will make their Women's T20 World Cup debut after qualifying earlier this year.
India's Prospects and Group
India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, enter the tournament with high expectations following their ODI World Cup success. They are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands.
Tournament Schedule and Venues
The tournament begins on June 12, 2026, and concludes with the final at Lord's on July 5, 2026. Matches will be played across seven venues: Lord's (London), The Oval (London), Old Trafford (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Hampshire Bowl (Southampton), and Bristol County Ground (Bristol).
India's Group Stage Matches
- vs Pakistan – June 14
- vs Netherlands – June 17
- vs South Africa – June 21
- vs Bangladesh – June 25
- vs Pakistan – June 28
Knockout Stages
- Semi-final 1: June 30
- Semi-final 2: July 2
- Final: July 5 at Lord's
Where to Watch in India
Fans can watch all matches live on the Star Sports Network. Live streaming will be available on JioHotstar via mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs.
Tournament Format
The 12 teams are divided into two groups of six. Each team plays the others in its group once. The top two teams from each group qualify for the semi-finals, with the winners advancing to the final.
Groups
- Group A: India, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Netherlands
- Group B: England, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland
