The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 is the biggest yet. Hosted by England from June 12 to July 5, 2026, the tenth edition of the tournament breaks new ground as the first to feature 12 teams and 33 matches, with the showpiece final at the iconic Lord's. It gets underway today with hosts England taking on Sri Lanka at Edgbaston.
Whether you're following India's title charge, want the full schedule, or just need to know where to stream it, this guide pulls everything together in one place — written to be clear for lifelong cricket fans and newcomers alike.
Tournament at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 12 – July 5, 2026 |
| Host | England (England & Wales Cricket Board) |
| Edition | 10th — first ever with 12 teams |
| Teams | 12 (two groups of six) |
| Matches | 33 |
| Venues | 7 across England |
| Opening match | England vs Sri Lanka, Edgbaston (June 12) |
| Final | Lord's, London (July 5) |
| Defending champions | New Zealand (2024 winners) |
| Prize pool | Record ~$8.76 million |
Why This Edition Is Historic
This isn't just another World Cup — it's a milestone for the women's game.
- First 12-team edition. The field expands from 10 teams (2024) to 12, adding more matches and giving emerging nations a bigger stage.
- 33 matches. The most ever for a Women's T20 World Cup, spread across seven English grounds.
- A final at Lord's. The "home of cricket" hosts the Women's T20 World Cup final for the first time — a marquee moment for the sport.
- Record prize money. A pool of around $8.76 million, up 10% on 2024, continues the push toward pay parity with the men's game.
- England comes full circle. England hosted the very first Women's T20 World Cup in 2009, and returns as host for this landmark tenth edition.
The Format Explained
The format is straightforward and fan-friendly.
Group stage
The 12 teams are split into two groups of six (Group A and Group B). Each team plays the other five in its group once, in a round-robin. The group stage runs from June 12 to June 28.
Who advances
The top two teams from each group — four in total — qualify for the knockout stage. That means consistency across five group games is rewarded, with no margin for a slow start.
Knockouts
The four qualifiers contest two semi-finals (both at The Oval, on June 30 and July 2), and the winners meet in the final at Lord's on July 5. It's straight knockout cricket — win and you're through, lose and you're out.
Groups A and B
The draw places India and Pakistan together in Group A, guaranteeing one of cricket's biggest rivalries in the group stage, while hosts England and defending champions New Zealand headline Group B.
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| Australia | England |
| India | New Zealand |
| South Africa | West Indies |
| Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
| Bangladesh | Ireland |
| Netherlands | Scotland |
Venues
Seven of England's most famous grounds are hosting matches, with London's Lord's and The Oval handling the business end of the tournament.
| Venue | City | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Edgbaston | Birmingham | Opening match |
| County Ground | Bristol | Group stage |
| Headingley | Leeds | Group stage |
| Old Trafford | Manchester | Group stage |
| Rose Bowl | Southampton | Group stage |
| The Oval | London | Both semi-finals |
| Lord's | London | Final |
Key Dates and Schedule
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Opening match (England vs Sri Lanka) | June 12 |
| Group stage | June 12 – 28 |
| Semi-final 1 (The Oval) | June 30 |
| Semi-final 2 (The Oval) | July 2 |
| Final (Lord's) | July 5 |
For Indian fans, India's group fixtures against Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands will be the ones to watch, as Harmanpreet Kaur's side chase a first Women's T20 World Cup title.
Teams and Favourites
Twelve teams, but a handful start with realistic title hopes.
- Australia — the world's No. 1 side and the most successful team in the event's history. The benchmark, and the favourites.
- India — ranked third and brimming with talent; a maiden T20 World Cup title is the clear goal for a passionate cricket nation.
- England — hosts with home advantage and familiar conditions, always dangerous in their own backyard.
- New Zealand — the defending champions, looking to prove 2024 was no fluke.
- South Africa — recent runners-up who have become consistent knockout contenders.
Cricket is famously a passion shared across borders — the same appetite for global sporting spectacle is fuelling this summer's other giant event, the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America.
How to Watch (India & Worldwide)
The tournament is widely available — here's where to tune in, with full details for India.
| Region | TV | Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| India | Star Sports 1 / 2 / 3 (incl. HD) | JioHotstar (app & web, subscription) |
| UK | Sky Sports | Sky Go / NOW |
| Australia | — | Prime Video / Foxtel-Kayo |
| USA | — | Willow TV / ESPN+ |
In India, JioStar is offering commentary in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada for all India matches plus the opener, semi-finals and final, along with a mobile-first vertical video feed in English and Hindi on JioHotstar. Watching on the go? A tablet is the most comfortable way to stream matches — see our picks in the best tablets of 2026 guide.
Prize Money
The ICC has raised the stakes again, with a record pool that underscores the rising profile of women's cricket.
| Detail | Amount (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Total prize pool | $8.76 million (up 10% on 2024) |
| Champions | At least $2.34 million |
The steady increase reflects the ICC's commitment to closing the gap with the men's game, where equal prize money has become the stated goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026?
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 runs from June 12 to July 5, 2026, hosted by England across seven venues. It is the tenth edition of the tournament. The opening match is England vs Sri Lanka at Edgbaston in Birmingham on June 12, and the final will be held at Lord's in London on July 5, 2026.
How many teams are in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup and how does the format work?
For the first time, 12 teams take part (up from 10 in 2024), playing 33 matches. The teams are split into two groups of six. Each team plays the other five in its group once, and the top two from each group advance to the semi-finals. The two semi-final winners then meet in the final at Lord's on July 5.
Which teams are in Group A and Group B?
Group A: Australia, India, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands. Group B: England, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland, and Scotland. India and arch-rivals Pakistan are both in Group A, while hosts England headline Group B alongside defending champions New Zealand.
How can I watch the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in India?
In India, the tournament is televised on the Star Sports network (Star Sports 1, 2 and 3, including HD) and streamed live on JioHotstar (app and website, subscription required). JioStar offers Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada commentary for all India matches plus the opener, semi-finals and final, along with a mobile-first vertical video feed in English and Hindi.
Who are the favourites to win the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup?
Australia, the world's top-ranked side and most successful team in the tournament's history, start as favourites. India (ranked third) are strong contenders, as are hosts England and defending champions New Zealand. South Africa, runners-up in recent editions, are also in the mix.
Who won the last Women's T20 World Cup?
New Zealand won the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE, beating South Africa in the final for their first title. They enter the 2026 edition in England as the defending champions, drawn in Group B alongside hosts England.
How much prize money is on offer at the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup?
The 2026 tournament has a record prize pool of about $8.76 million, a 10% increase on 2024. The champions earn at least $2.34 million. The rising prize money reflects the ICC's continued investment in the women's game and a move toward pay parity with the men's events.
Where is the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup final being played?
The final will be played at Lord's in London on July 5, 2026 — the first time the home of cricket hosts a Women's T20 World Cup final. Both semi-finals are scheduled at The Oval, also in London, on June 30 and July 2.
Final Thoughts
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 is a landmark — bigger, richer, and staged at cricket's most famous grounds. With 12 teams, a final at Lord's, and record prize money, it's both a celebration of how far the women's game has come and a thrilling month of cricket in its own right.
Australia start as favourites, but India, England and defending champions New Zealand all have the firepower to lift the trophy. Whether you're streaming on JioHotstar in India or watching from anywhere in the world, you now have the full picture. Bookmark this guide — we'll keep it current through the semi-finals and the July 5 final.