Will Lord’s Host the Final of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026?

Dubai, May 1 (NationPress) The culmination of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will take place at Lord’s on July 5, as revealed before a launch event scheduled for Thursday at this renowned London venue. This event will gather some of the leading figures in British women’s sports.

According to a statement from the ICC, Lord’s, which previously hosted the exhilarating final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup between England and India in 2017, is one of the seven confirmed venues for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Other venues include Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Headingley, Edgbaston, Hampshire Bowl, The Oval, and Bristol County Ground.

The tournament will commence on June 12 and will conclude at Lord’s after 33 matches spanning 24 days, featuring the elite of global women’s cricket and aiming to elevate women’s cricket into the spotlight.

This expanded tournament will host 12 teams in England and Wales competing for the esteemed trophy currently held by New Zealand.

The detailed schedule, which will outline group stage matches leading into the knockout phase, will be shared later. Eight nations are already confirmed to participate, with the final four spots to be filled through a Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier next year.

England and Wales were awarded the rights to host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in 2022, with the seven venues selected after a thorough evaluation process.

The official launch at Lord’s will showcase prominent figures in British women’s sports, including England Head Coach Charlotte Edwards, England players Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell, and England rugby player Ellie Kildunne.

This event aims to present a vision for the tournament as a grand spectacle that can promote equality in cricket and transform the landscape of the women’s game for good.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Chair Jay Shah and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chief Executive Richard Gould expressed their enthusiasm regarding the venue confirmations.

“The confirmation of venues signifies a pivotal moment as we progress toward the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. This tournament will unite the world’s finest athletes in a celebration of talent, determination, and sportsmanship,” remarked ICC Chair Jay Shah.

“The UK’s diverse population has consistently supported all teams, something we witnessed at previous events. The sold-out final of the Women’s Cricket World Cup at Lord’s in 2017 marked a significant milestone in the advancement of women’s cricket, and it is fitting that the final takes place here.

“As we prepare for the tournament, we look forward to the exhilarating T20 action that will not only engage fans locally but also highlight cricket’s return to the Olympic arena in Los Angeles 2028.”

ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould stated: “We are immensely excited for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, and it is a privilege to confirm the seven iconic venues hosting the event. Announcing that the final will occur at Lord’s adds extra significance. It is one of the premier venues in world cricket, and every cricketer dreams of participating in a World Cup final at such a historic site.

“This will be the largest women’s cricket event ever held in England and Wales, presenting an extraordinary opportunity to engage more fans than ever before, welcoming both young and old.”

“Importantly, this event is not solely about scale; it’s about delivering an exceptional experience for players, fans, and broadcasters, ensuring the tournament reflects the elite performance of the players on the field. We envision this competition as part of a long-term movement, not just a fleeting moment in time. This World Cup will cultivate a new generation of fans who may not have grown up with women’s cricket but will envision a future where it is an integral part of sports.”

The ICC’s global women’s events have experienced a surge since the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017, with increased attendance and viewership across broadcasting and digital platforms.

The final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 between Australia and India in Melbourne attracted a record 86,174 spectators, while the finals of the subsequent T20 World Cups in Cape Town (2023) and Dubai (2024) were also sold out in markets that had not previously hosted ticketed women’s cricket matches.