ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 — England, June 12 to July 5
The 10th edition of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup takes place in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5, 2026 — 33 matches across 7 venues, with 12 teams playing for the trophy. Defending champions New Zealand face the toughest title defence yet against six-time winners Australia, hosts England, and a resurgent Indian side fresh from their 2025 ODI World Cup triumph. Final at Lord's. This page is your full guide: schedule, groups, teams, venues, predictions, and how to follow from India.
Get Cricket ID for World Cup MarketsWomen's T20 World Cup 2026 at a glance
| Tournament | ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 (10th edition) |
| Host country | England and Wales |
| Dates | 12 June – 5 July 2026 (24 days) |
| Teams | 12 (largest field ever; up from 10) |
| Total matches | 33 (30 group + 2 semi-finals + 1 final) |
| Venues | 7 (Edgbaston, Old Trafford, Headingley, Hampshire Bowl, Bristol, The Oval, Lord's) |
| Opening match | England vs Sri Lanka, Edgbaston, 12 June |
| India vs Pakistan | 14 June, Edgbaston |
| Semi-finals | The Oval, London (1 & 2 July) |
| Final | Lord's, London, 5 July |
| Defending champions | New Zealand (2024) |
| Most successful team | Australia (6 titles) |
| India broadcaster | Star Sports Network & JioHotstar |
The 12 teams & group stage
The 12 qualified teams are split into two groups of six. Each team plays five group matches (one against every other team in the group). Top two from each group advance to semi-finals.
Group A — the “Group of Death”
| Team | WT20WC titles | Strength rating |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 6 | Tournament favourite, deepest squad |
| India | 0 (runner-up 2020) | 2025 ODI World Cup winners; rising threat |
| South Africa | 0 (runner-up 2023, 2024) | Consistent semi-finalists; strong bowling |
| Pakistan | 0 | Spin-heavy attack; capable of upsets |
| Bangladesh | 0 | Qualifier; punching above weight |
| Netherlands | 0 (debut) | First ever WT20WC appearance |
Group A is brutal — four genuine semi-final contenders fighting for two spots. India's path to knockouts almost certainly requires beating either Australia or South Africa.
Group B — opener Group
| Team | WT20WC titles | Strength rating |
|---|---|---|
| England | 1 (2009 inaugural) | Hosts; home advantage, deep squad |
| New Zealand | 1 (2024) | Defending champions; rebuilding |
| West Indies | 1 (2016) | Power-hitting threat; veteran core |
| Sri Lanka | 0 | Improving; spinners suited to English summer |
| Ireland | 0 | Qualifier; Celtic clash with Scotland |
| Scotland | 0 (debut) | First ever WT20WC; Bryce sisters lead |
Group B is more lopsided — England, New Zealand and West Indies likely contest the top two spots. Sri Lanka can play spoiler on slow English pitches.
Key matches to watch
Out of 33 matches, these are the standout fixtures most likely to draw global attention:
Friday 12 June — Tournament opener
England vs Sri Lanka, Edgbaston (18:30 BST / 23:00 IST). Hosts launch their campaign under lights. England will be heavy favourites, but Sri Lanka's spin attack on a typical English green deck could create a tricky chase if they bat second.
Sunday 14 June — India vs Pakistan
India vs Pakistan, Edgbaston. The biggest box-office draw of the group stage. India come in as form-team after their 2025 ODI World Cup win; Pakistan rely on Nida Dar's spin and Sidra Amin's batting. Tickets sold out quickly. Indian fans should expect a late-night viewing window in IST.
Saturday 13 June — New Zealand vs West Indies
Defending champions begin their title defence against the only Caribbean team in tournament history with a title. Both squads are in transition since 2024 — expect a high-quality but unpredictable contest.
Sunday 28 June — India vs Australia
The expected Group A heavyweights clash. India's 2020 final was against Australia at the MCG; this is the rematch on neutral ground. Whoever loses likely faces an exit-via-net-run-rate scenario.
Saturday 20 June — England vs Scotland
First-ever Women's World Cup meeting between the two home nations on English soil. More cultural significance than competitive significance, but Scotland's debut is a milestone moment.
Wednesday/Thursday 1–2 July — Semi-finals at The Oval
Two semi-finals over two consecutive days. Group A winner vs Group B runner-up; Group B winner vs Group A runner-up. Most likely matchups (based on form): Australia vs New Zealand, England vs India.
Sunday 5 July — Final at Lord's
The biggest match in women's cricket, hosted at the Home of Cricket for the first time. A near-certain sellout, broadcast globally, marks the tournament's climax.
The seven venues
Matches are spread across seven historic English grounds, each with its own character that will affect cricket conditions and predictions throughout the tournament.
Lord's Cricket Ground (London) — final
The Home of Cricket. Slope of the ground is famous; the wicket typically offers something for both bat and ball. Hosting the women's T20 World Cup final here for the first time is a landmark moment.
The Oval (London) — semi-finals
Surrey's home ground in south London. Generally batter-friendly with consistent bounce; small boundaries on one side. Both semi-finals (1 and 2 July) here.
Edgbaston (Birmingham) — opener & India vs Pakistan
Hosts the opening match and India vs Pakistan. Edgbaston pitches typically swing more in early-summer conditions; expect bowling-friendly first innings.
Old Trafford (Manchester)
Lancashire's home. Known for swing and seam due to overhead conditions. Hosts four match days including the all-Celtic Ireland vs Scotland on June 13.
Headingley (Leeds)
Yorkshire's home. Famously bowler-friendly with seam movement and overcast conditions. Australia vs Bangladesh (June 17) and England vs Scotland (June 20) here.
Hampshire Bowl (Southampton)
Modern stadium with covered stands and reliable bounce. Tends to play truer than other English venues; better for batters.
Bristol County Ground
Smaller, more intimate venue. Pitch generally good for batting, but small boundaries make spinners' job harder if conditions don't help.
India at the Women's T20 World Cup 2026
India enter the 2026 tournament as one of the most-watched teams — both because of their massive global fanbase and because they've never won a Women's T20 World Cup despite multiple semi-final and one final appearance.
India's record at Women's T20 World Cups
- 2009 (inaugural): Semi-finalists
- 2010: Semi-finalists
- 2018: Semi-finalists
- 2020: Runners-up (lost final to Australia at MCG)
- 2024: Semi-finalists
- 2026: Strong contenders after 2025 ODI World Cup win
Why 2026 could be India's year
- Form momentum. Winning the 2025 ODI World Cup at home gave the squad belief and pushed several players into top international form. The core group has now experienced winning a major final.
- Squad balance. Mandhana and Shafali at the top, Harmanpreet's experienced leadership in the middle, and a varied bowling attack including spin (Deepti, Shreyanka) and pace (Renuka, Pooja) gives India options across conditions.
- English conditions familiarity. Several Indian players have featured in The Hundred and county cricket, providing some venue-specific experience.
- Mental shift. Past Indian teams faded under knockout pressure. The 2025 World Cup win was an antidote to that — this group has now proven they can close out a tournament.
The challenges India face
- Group A draw. Australia, South Africa and Pakistan in the group means India must win at least 3 of 5 group matches to be safe; net run rate could be decisive.
- English conditions. June-July English wickets often offer movement that's different from Indian or Australian decks. Top-order batters can struggle in the first few overs.
- Squad depth question. If a key player (Mandhana, Harmanpreet, Deepti) misses through injury, the bench strength will be tested.
India's likely match schedule (Group A)
Exact dates and venues are confirmed in the ICC schedule. India play 5 group matches between June 14 and approximately June 28, with potential semi-final on July 1 or 2 if they top or finish second in Group A. Expect IST start times of 6:30 PM or 11:00 PM depending on UK kick-off.
How we'll predict Women's T20 World Cup 2026 matches
As the tournament approaches and during the 24-day window, our analyst team will publish daily match predictions on our predictions page. Each match will be analysed using the same 7-factor framework we use for IPL: head-to-head, recent form, venue performance, squad strength, pitch and conditions, expected toss impact, and bookmaker odds.
Tournament-winner prediction (pre-tournament)
Based on current form (April 2026), squad strength, conditions familiarity and tournament experience:
| Team | Pre-tournament probability | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ~28% | Deepest squad, tournament pedigree, but vulnerable in unfamiliar early conditions |
| England | ~22% | Hosts; conditions familiarity; deep all-rounder pool |
| India | ~18% | 2025 ODI WC champions; growing depth; tough Group A draw |
| New Zealand | ~10% | Defending champions but in transition; Group B easier |
| South Africa | ~8% | Consistent semi-finalists; strong bowling attack |
| West Indies | ~6% | Power threat; veteran core; depth question |
| Field (Pak/SL/BAN/IRE/SCO/NED) | ~8% | Combined upset chance; spread thin |
These probabilities will shift as squads are announced (typically 3–4 weeks before the tournament), warm-up matches are played, and the first round of group games happens. We'll update the page accordingly.
Match-by-match predictions during the tournament
From June 12 onwards, each Women's T20 World Cup match will get a dedicated prediction page covering: match-winner pick with probability, toss prediction, expected playing 11s, dream11 fantasy team with captain/VC, pitch report, head-to-head, fancy & session calls. Subscribe to WhatsApp updates from your Monsterbat ID for live in-play tips.
Women's T20 World Cup history
The tournament has run since 2009 and has crowned just four different champions in nine editions. Australia's dominance over the past decade has been the defining feature; the 2024 New Zealand win was the first non-Australian victory since 2016.
| Year | Host | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | England | England | New Zealand |
| 2010 | West Indies | Australia | New Zealand |
| 2012 | Sri Lanka | Australia | England |
| 2014 | Bangladesh | Australia | England |
| 2016 | India | West Indies | Australia |
| 2018 | West Indies | Australia | England |
| 2020 | Australia | Australia | India |
| 2023 | South Africa | Australia | South Africa |
| 2024 | UAE | New Zealand | South Africa |
| 2026 | England | ? | ? |
Australia's dominance era
Australia won six titles in seven editions between 2010 and 2023 — a level of dominance unmatched in any major cricket tournament, men's or women's. Players like Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healy formed the core. The 2024 loss to New Zealand was a generational handover; the 2026 tournament shows whether Australia's next core can sustain the dominance.
How Indian fans can follow the Women's T20 World Cup 2026
TV and streaming
Star Sports Network broadcasts all matches in India; JioHotstar streams them online. Star typically covers the tournament with Hindi commentary on its main channels and English on Star Sports 1. JioHotstar is included with Jio mobile plans for users on eligible tariffs.
Match timings (IST)
- 10:30 BST start → 3:00 PM IST (afternoon viewing)
- 14:00 BST start → 6:30 PM IST (prime time)
- 18:30 BST start → 11:00 PM IST (late night)
Most marquee matches (England primetime, India games) are at 18:30 BST — meaning 11 PM IST start. Plan late nights for your team's matches.
Free highlights and clips
ICC's official YouTube channel (@ICC) typically uploads highlights packages within a few hours of each match ending. Press conferences, post-match interviews, and behind-the-scenes content also free on social media. For paid full-replay access, the JioHotstar archive will be the primary source for Indian users.
Tournament news and updates
Follow ICC's official channels (@T20WorldCup), team social media (@BCCIWomen, @CricketAus, @englandcricket etc.), and Indian cricket-specific news sites for daily coverage. Our predictions page will run daily previews and post-match analysis throughout the tournament.
Common Women's T20 World Cup searches we cover
Whatever you typed to find this page, here's what you'll find:
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Why this tournament matters
The Women's T20 World Cup 2026 is significant beyond its sporting outcomes. It's the first 12-team edition (expanded from 10), the first women's T20 final at Lord's, and the latest chapter in ICC's pay-parity push that has brought women's prize money substantially closer to the men's.
Indian cricket has been part of this transformation. The Women's Premier League (WPL) has built infrastructure and visibility for the women's game in India. Players like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur have become household names. The 2025 ODI World Cup win in India was a watershed moment for women's cricket in the country — turning the women's team from "the other team" into prime-time household entertainment.
The 2026 T20 World Cup is the next stage. England as host means global broadcast reach in prime European and North American time slots. The 12-team format gives smaller cricketing nations meaningful exposure. The expanded prize money rewards every team for showing up. And if India go all the way, the stadium scenes at Lord's on July 5 will rival anything in cricket history.
Whatever team you support, this tournament is genuinely worth following. Set the calendar reminders.
Women's T20 World Cup 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 runs from June 12 to July 5, 2026 — a 24-day tournament. The opening match is England vs Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on June 12, and the final is at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on July 5.
The tournament is hosted in England and Wales, across seven venues: Edgbaston (Birmingham), Old Trafford (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), Hampshire Bowl (Southampton), Bristol County Ground, The Oval (London) for semi-finals, and Lord's Cricket Ground (London) for the final. This is the second time England has hosted the tournament — they staged the inaugural edition in 2009.
The 2026 tournament features 12 teams — the largest field in Women's T20 World Cup history (up from 10 in previous editions). Eight teams qualified automatically: England (hosts), Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies (top five from 2024), plus the highest-ranked unqualified team. Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands earned the four remaining places via the qualifier in Nepal.
Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands. Group B: England, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland. Each team plays five group-stage matches (one against every other team in their group). The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals. India have a tough Group A draw with both Australia and Pakistan, while England's Group B path includes defending champions New Zealand.
India face Pakistan in the women's T20 World Cup 2026 group stage on Sunday, June 14 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Both teams are in Group A. The fixture is one of the highest-profile group-stage matches of the tournament given the cricketing rivalry, and tickets sold out quickly. India also play Australia on June 28 in their group campaign.
New Zealand are the defending champions, having won the 2024 edition. They are placed in Group B for the 2026 tournament and begin their title defence against the West Indies on June 13. New Zealand will look to become the first team since Australia to retain the trophy. Australia remain the most successful team in tournament history with six titles (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2023).
The Women's T20 World Cup 2026 final is at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on Sunday, July 5, 2026. This is the first time the women's T20 World Cup final has been hosted at Lord's, marking a significant moment for women's cricket. The two semi-finals will be played at The Oval, also in London, on July 1 and July 2.
In India, the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network television channels and live-streamed on the JioHotstar app and website. Match start times in IST will vary based on UK kick-off times — most evening matches at 6:30 PM BST will start at 11:00 PM IST, while afternoon matches at 14:00 BST will start at 6:30 PM IST. Free highlights are typically available across ICC's official YouTube channel and digital partners.
Australia and England are pre-tournament co-favourites at most bookmakers. Australia bring six previous titles and the deepest squad in women's cricket. England have home advantage, conditions familiarity, and the experience of Nat Sciver-Brunt's leadership. India come in as strong outside picks after winning the 2025 ODI World Cup at home — they're the in-form Asian team. New Zealand will defend the title but face a tough Group B. South Africa and West Indies round out the second tier of contenders.
India's squad will be announced closer to the tournament, typically 3–4 weeks before the opening match. The likely core based on recent form: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma (openers); Harmanpreet Kaur (captain); Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma; bowling unit anchored by Renuka Singh, Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil, and Radha Yadav. Final squad selection depends on injury status and form in the lead-up. Check the BCCI announcement for confirmed list.
No — India has not yet won the Women's T20 World Cup. Their best finish was runners-up at the 2020 edition in Australia, where they lost the final to Australia at the MCG in front of a record crowd. India also reached the semi-finals in 2009, 2010, 2018 and 2024. The 2026 edition is seen as a strong opportunity, especially after India's victory in the 2025 ODI World Cup at home, signalling the team's growing strength.
You can place bets on Women's T20 World Cup 2026 markets — match winner, tournament winner, top batsman, top bowler, fancy and session — through licensed cricket exchange platforms. Get an instant cricket betting ID via WhatsApp from Monsterbat.vip with ₹100 minimum deposit, withdrawals processed in 5–15 minutes. The same ID covers all 33 tournament matches plus the final at Lord's. Always verify your state's betting laws before participating.
ICC has substantially increased Women's T20 World Cup prize money over recent editions as part of its commitment to pay parity with the men's game. The 2024 edition prize pool was approximately $7.96 million USD with the winners receiving around $2.34 million. The 2026 edition prize money is expected to be similar or slightly higher, with the gap to men's tournaments narrowing. ICC announces final prize-money figures shortly before the tournament starts.
Yes — Dream11 and other major fantasy cricket platforms run contests for every Women's T20 World Cup match. Indian players including Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma are typically high-credit picks; foreign stars like Beth Mooney (Australia), Nat Sciver-Brunt (England) and Sophie Devine (New Zealand) are popular captain choices. Watch our daily prediction page for dream11 team picks once the tournament starts.
12 teams in 2 groups of 6. Each team plays 5 group-stage matches (one against each other team in their group), totalling 30 group matches. The top 2 from each group qualify for the knockout stage — 2 semi-finals at The Oval, then the final at Lord's. Total: 33 matches over 24 days. The format gives every team a meaningful path to knockouts but also means a single bad day can knock a team out of contention quickly.
UK is 4.5 hours behind India during BST (British Summer Time, in effect during the tournament). Common UK match times convert as: 10:30 BST = 3:00 PM IST, 14:00 BST = 6:30 PM IST, 18:30 BST = 11:00 PM IST. Most evening matches will be late-night viewing for Indian fans, while day matches start in early evening IST. Check our daily schedule updates for exact IST times for each match.
Yes — tickets are on sale for all matches via the official ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 ticketing site. Group-stage tickets are typically affordable (£10–£40 in many categories), with semi-final and final tickets at premium prices. Indian fans planning to travel should book flights and accommodation early, especially around the India vs Pakistan match (June 14) and any potential India semi-final or final involvement. UK visa applications take 3–8 weeks; plan accordingly.
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