Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Tournament Explainer

Tickets for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026

The tenth edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is around the corner, with the expansion to 12 teams making it the biggest Women’s T20 World Cup ever.

When is it?

The tournament kicks off on June 12, with the winner crowned at the July 5 Final.

Hosts England take on Sri Lanka at Edgbaston to kick off the tournament, with group stage action winding down on June 28.

The first and second semi-final will be played out at The Oval on June 30 and July 2 respectively, before the Final at Lord’s.

What is the format?

In a similar style to the 2024 format, the teams are split into two groups, with the only difference being that each group features six teams this time instead of five.

The teams play every other team in their group once. Teams finishing in the top two spots move on to the semi-finals. The top-finishing side then plays the second-place finisher from the other group.

What are the groups?

Group A features 2023 champions Australia who are once again in the conversation as tournament favourites, as well as Cricket World Cup 2025 champions India looking for a white-ball global event double.

South Africa, who featured in the 2025 Cricket World Cup Final on the 50-over side, as well as the Finals for both the 2023 and 2024 T20 World Cup, will be desperate to finally taste tournament success.

Pakistan and Bangladesh also take part in Group A, as well as tournament debutants The Netherlands.

Over in Group B, defending champions New Zealand will face a stern challenge from hosts England, as well as 2016 champions the West Indies.

Sri Lanka aim to progress out of the first round for the first time, while Ireland make their fifth appearance in the competition on the hunt for their first victory. Scotland return after making their tournament debut in 2024.

Group A: Australia, Bangladesh, India, The Netherlands, Pakistan, South Africa
Group B: England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka, West Indies

How much money can each team take home?

The ICC has announced an increase to the prize money for the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, with the total pool of US$8,764,615 up 10% from the 2024 sum of US$7,958,077.

The winners are set to take home US$2,340,000, while the runners-up will receive US$1,170,000. Both losing semi-finalists will earn US$675,000 each, and every group-stage win earning teams US$31,154. All 12 participating teams are guaranteed a minimum prize pot of US$247,500.

A breakdown of the prize money can be found here.

How did each team qualify?

As hosts, England were automatic qualifiers for the tournament, alongside the five-highest finishers from the 2024 edition of the tournament: New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, India and the West Indies.

The next two spots were taken by the next two teams on the ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings in Pakistan, before the final four spots were decided at the 2026 T20 World Cup Qualifier.

Bangladesh, Ireland, The Netherlands and Scotland prevailed in the event that was held in Nepal across January and February.

Which grounds are hosting the tournament?

After hosting the opening match of the tournament Edgbaston in Birmingham will enjoy another three matches at the tournament, with the Bristol County Ground and the Rose Bowl in Southampton hosting six matches each.

Old Trafford in Manchester and Headingley in Leeds host five matches each. On top of both semi-finals The Oval hosts one more match, with Lord’s the venue for three group stage matches and the Final.

Official warm-up matches will take place in Cardiff, Derby and Loughborough.

Where can I buy tickets?

Fans can log on to https://tickets.womens.t20worldcup.com/ for tickets to the event.

Full ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Fixture List

Friday June 12: England v Sri Lanka, Edgbaston 18:30 BST
Saturday June 13: Scotland v Ireland, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 10:30 BST
Saturday June 13: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BST
Saturday June 13: West Indies v New Zealand, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BST
Sunday June 14: Bangladesh v Netherlands, Edgbaston 10:30 BST
Sunday June 14: India v Pakistan, Edgbaston 14:30 BST
Tuesday June 16: New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Hampshire Bowl 14:30 BST
Tuesday June 16: England v Ireland, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BST
Wednesday June 17: Australia v Bangladesh, Headingley 10:30 BST
Wednesday June 17: India v Netherlands, Headingley 14:30 BST
Wednesday June 17: South Africa v Pakistan, Edgbaston 18:30 BST
Thursday June 18: West Indies v Scotland, Headingley 18:30 BST
Friday June 19: New Zealand v Ireland, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BST
Saturday June 20: Australia v Netherlands, Hampshire Bowl 10:30 BST
Saturday June 20: Pakistan v Bangladesh, Hampshire Bowl 14:30 BST
Saturday June 20: England v Scotland, Headingley 18:30 BST
Sunday June 21: West Indies v Sri Lanka, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BST
Sunday June 21: South Africa v India, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BST
Tuesday June 23: New Zealand v Scotland, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BST
Tuesday June 23: Sri Lanka v Ireland, Bristol County Ground 14:30 BST
Tuesday June 23: Australia v Pakistan, Headingley 18:30 BST
Wednesday June 24: England v West Indies, Lord’s Cricket Ground 18:30 BST
Thursday June 25: India v Bangladesh, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BST
Thursday June 25: South Africa v Netherlands, Bristol County Ground 18:30 BST
Friday June 26: Sri Lanka v Scotland, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 18:30 BST
Saturday June 27: Pakistan v Netherlands, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BST
Saturday June 27: West Indies v Ireland, Bristol County Ground 14:30 BST
Saturday June 27: England v New Zealand, The Oval 18:30 BST
Sunday June 28: South Africa v Bangladesh, Lord’s Cricket Ground 10:30 BST
Sunday June 28: Australia v India, Lord’s Cricket Ground 14:30 BST
Tuesday June 30: TBC v TBC (Semi Final 1), The Oval 14:30 BST
Thursday July 2: TBC v TBC (Semi Final 2), The Oval 18:30 BST
Sunday July 5: TBC v TBC (The Final), Lord’s Cricket Ground 14:30 BST