Women's T20 World Cup 2026: England and Wales to stage record 12-team, 33-match showpiece
Biggest edition yet confirmed for England and Wales
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 is set to be the biggest edition in the tournament's history, with England and Wales confirmed as hosts for a six-week summer blockbuster running from June 12 to July 5, 2026.
The expanded tournament will feature 12 teams and 33 matches across some of the most iconic cricket venues in the country, including Lord's, The Oval, Edgbaston and Old Trafford.
New format: two groups, top two through
The 2026 tournament will adopt a two-group format, with six teams in each group and the top two sides from each group progressing to the semi-finals, setting the stage for a tightly contested knockout phase at the business end of the competition.
Defending champions and leading contenders
Defending champions New Zealand will be among the leading contenders as they attempt to retain their crown, but they face fierce competition from a formidable field that includes India, Australia, England and South Africa.
Some of the biggest stars in women's cricket are expected to headline the tournament, including Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Ellyse Perry and Nat Sciver-Brunt, giving the event a marquee blend of experience and firepower.
History and honours
Australia remain the most successful team in Women's T20 World Cup history with six titles, while England, West Indies and New Zealand have each lifted the trophy once. India, despite their star-studded line-up, are still chasing their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title.
Key tournament details at a glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 12 – July 5, 2026 |
| Hosts | England and Wales |
| Teams | 12 |
| Matches | 33 |
| Venues | Lord's, The Oval, Edgbaston, Old Trafford |
| Format | Two groups of six; top two from each reach the semi-finals |
| Defending champions | New Zealand |
Comprehensive coverage ahead
With the tournament now firmly on the calendar, cricket fans can look forward to complete ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 coverage, including live scores, fixtures, schedules, points table, squads, records, stats, match reports and breaking news. Stay updated with every major development from cricket's biggest women's T20 tournament as the road to England and Wales begins.