WOMEN’S CRICKET TAKES OVER LONDON: WATERLOO BRIDGE TURNS INTO EPIC PITCH FOR LAUNCH OF ICC WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP 2026 WITH CAPTAINS CARNIVAL

Captains Carnival 2 Photo credit: ICC/Getty Images

Media release

  • London’s iconic Waterloo Bridge transforms into a live cricket pitch for the first time in its history as ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is launched in unmissable fashion 
  • Captains of all 12 participating teams come together publicly for the first time in a show-stopping Captain’s Carnival
  • Members of the media can download the official captains’ photo via the ICC Online Media Zone
  • The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins on 12 June with England taking on Sri Lanka at Edgbaston
  • Don’t miss out on the chance to be a part of history – final tickets available at tickets.womens.t20worldcup.com

London’s Waterloo Bridge – one of the city’s most prominent landmarks - was transformed into a live cricket pitch for the first time in its history today as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 launched in spectacular fashion, bringing together all 12 team captains ahead of the tournament’s opening match on 12 June. 

In a momentous activation that reinforces the ICC’s ambition to make this the most immersive, impactful and innovative Women’s T20 World Cup ever, one of London’s most iconic landmarks was reimagined as an epic cricketing stage, creating a never-before-seen showcase for the women’s game in the heart of the capital.

The bridge swapped traffic for cricket as the captains of the 12 competing teams gathered on a purpose-built pitch against the backdrop of Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye, creating one of the most striking images in the tournament’s history just five days before the first ball is bowled in England and Wales.

Stepping off a quintessential double-decker bus onto the specially constructed playing surface, the world’s best players took part in cricketing challenges and fan interactions high above the River Thames. 

The historic Captain’s Carnival marked the first public gathering of all 12 captains ahead of the tournament and served as a powerful symbol of the global growth, visibility and appeal of women’s cricket.

Fans and young participants from across the capital and tournament host cities including Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and Southampton were invited to participate in street cricket, interactive games and entertainment, transforming Waterloo Bridge into a vibrant celebration of cricket and culture. 

Roaming performers brought the colours, sounds and energy of the competing teams to central London as excitement continues to build ahead of what is set to be the biggest women’s sporting event in the world.

Content creators and digital influencers from across the world gathered to take moments from the event to millions of their followers across digital platforms. The event also generated a live-stream hosted on the ICC’s owned and operated digital platforms as well as licensees such as JioStar and Sky Sports’ broadcast/streaming platforms.

The innovative activation is the latest example of the ICC’s commitment to pushing boundaries in the build-up to the tournament and bringing cricket to new audiences in unexpected ways. With tickets around 200,000 – a record-breaking figure achieved before the tournament has even begun and comfortably eclipsing previous ICC Women’s T20 World Cup benchmarks – anticipation is building for a historic event that promises to redefine what is possible for women’s cricket on the global stage.

ICC Chairman, Jay Shah said: “This is a landmark moment for women’s Cricket and a fitting way to launch what we believe will be the most exciting and ambitious ICC Women’s T20 World Cup ever staged. This will help elevate the buzz and excitement around the event, providing the final boost to the anticipation for the tournament before the first ball is bowled on June 12 in Birmingham. This event is another expression of the ICC’s commitment and belief linked to the agenda of building a more inclusive, global game.”

ICC Director & ECB Chair, Richard Thompson said: “Seeing these 12 captains playing cricket in a global first on an iconic London stage is a sign of how far the women’s game has come and where it’s headed.

“With just five days to go until the opening game, this landmark captain’s event sets the scene for what promises to be the most attended and most widely covered Women’s World Cup ever.”

This summer, England and Wales will host the best cricketers on the planet as teams from across the globe compete for the ultimate prize. From the opening match at Edgbaston (Birmingham) to the final at Lord's Cricket Ground (London), matches will be played across host cities including Old Trafford (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), Hampshire Bowl (Southampton), Bristol County Ground (Bristol) and The Oval (London). The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 promises fierce rivalries, memorable moments and a festival atmosphere at every venue.

The 12 competing teams are England, India, Australia, Bangladesh, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. 

Get ready to catch the spirit this summer and be a part of history. Secure your tickets for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at tickets.womens.t20worldcup.com.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About ICC 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup 

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will take place in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July next summer. Over the course of 24 days, a total of 33 matches will be played across seven top-tier venues – Edgbaston (Birmingham), Old Trafford Cricket Ground (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), Hampshire Bowl (Southampton), Bristol County Ground (Bristol), The Oval (London), and Lord’s (London). The newly expanded competition will see 12 teams competing for the prestigious trophy currently held by New Zealand.

All matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with selected fixtures, including the opening game and Wicked pre-match performance, also broadcast free-to-air via Sky Mix, the Sky Sports YouTube channel and the Sky Sports app. Fans can also listen to ball-by-ball coverage on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live, and follow live on the BBC Sport website from 12th June - 5th July.

About ICC

The ICC is cricket’s global governing body, representing 110 members worldwide. It oversees major tournaments such as the Men’s and Women’s Cricket and T20 World Cups, enforces the Code of Conduct on professional standards and playing conditions (with the MCC responsible for the Laws of Cricket), appoints match officials for all international formats, and combats corruption through its Anti-Corruption Unit. Its Development department also works with Associate Members to strengthen cricket systems, raise standards, and grow the game globally.

About ECB 

The ECB is the national governing body for cricket in England and Wales, responsible for developing and supporting all levels of the game from recreational cricket to the national teams. The ECB’s strategic goal “Inspiring Generations” is to encourage more young people to form a lifelong relationship with the game so that a new generation of fans will say “cricket is the game for me.”