Lord’s will host the final of next year’s Women’s T20 World Cup in England, with six other venues also set to stage matches during the event.
The 12-team tournament will feature 33 matches played over 24 days, with Lord’s to host the final on July 5.
Other venues include Emirates Old Trafford (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Utilita Bowl (Hampshire), Kia Oval (London) and Seat Unique Stadium (Bristol).
New Zealand is the defending champion of the Women’s T20 World Cup after winning the 2024 tournament, which was held in the United Arab Emirates after being relocated from Bangladesh. The schedule for next year’s tournament, which will see teams competing in two groups before the knockout stage, will be announced in due course.
Eight countries have already qualified for the event, with the final four participants to be decided through a qualifier tournament next year.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced in July 2022 that the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup would be held in England. The seven host venues have been selected following evaluation of various criteria for an event that will expand in size from 10 to 12 competing teams.
Richard Gould, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), said: “We are hugely excited for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, and thrilled to be able to confirm the seven iconic venues that will host the tournament.
“It is of course extra special to announce that the final will be taking place at Lord’s. It is one of the finest venues in world cricket and every cricketer dreams of being part of occasions like a World Cup final at Lord’s. This will be the biggest women’s cricket event ever staged in England and Wales and is undoubtedly an opportunity to take the game to more people than ever before and welcome in new fans – young and old.
“Crucially though this isn’t just about scale, it’s about providing a world-class experience for players, fans and broadcasters alike, ensuring that the tournament reflects the elite performance of the players on the pitch. We want this competition to be part of a long-term movement, and not just a single moment in time. This World Cup will grow a new generation of fans who didn’t grow up with women’s cricket but will never imagine sport without it.”
Lord’s also hosted the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup final, which was contested by England and India. The previous two editions of the Women’s T20 World Cup were held in South Africa in 2023 and Australia in 2020, with the final of the latter attracting 86,174 fans to the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
