May 1: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially confirmed that the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will take place at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 5, marking a significant milestone for women’s cricket as the tournament returns to England for its tenth edition.
In a launch event held today at Lord’s, the ICC and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) unveiled the seven host venues for the tournament, which will run from June 12 to July 5, 2026. Alongside Lord’s, matches will be played at Edgbaston, Hampshire Bowl, Headingley, Old Trafford, The Oval, and Bristol County Ground.
This edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup will feature 12 teams—the largest ever field in the tournament’s history. Eight teams, including hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies, have already qualified. The remaining four spots will be decided through a global qualifying event in 2025.
The teams will be divided into two groups of six, followed by knockout stages leading to the grand finale at Lord’s. In total, 33 matches will be played over 24 days, making it one of the most comprehensive tournaments in the event’s history.
“The confirmation of venues represents a defining moment as we build towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026,” said ICC Chair Jay Shah. “This tournament will bring together the world’s finest players in a celebration of skill, spirit, and sportsmanship. The final at Lord’s will be a fitting stage for the pinnacle of women’s T20 cricket.”
ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould echoed the sentiment, stating: “We are thrilled to confirm these seven iconic venues and especially to host the final at Lord’s. This will be the biggest women’s cricket event ever staged in England and Wales. It’s a chance to grow the game and create a lasting legacy.”
The 2026 tournament also comes at a crucial time for the sport, as it builds momentum toward cricket’s return to the Olympic stage at Los Angeles 2028.
The previous edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup, hosted in Bangladesh (held in UAE) in 2024, saw New Zealand lift their maiden title with a 32-run win over South Africa in the final.
The full tournament schedule is expected to be released in the coming months.