ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Full Schedule Revealed Groups, Fixtures & Key Matches
Women’s cricket is about to have its biggest summer ever. The complete schedule for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is now confirmed, with 12 teams set to compete across England and Wales from June 12 to July 5 — and the fixtures are absolutely loaded with blockbuster clashes.
While the Men’s tournament reaches its knockout stage at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Women’s edition is building fast and cricket fans across the globe now have the full picture of what to expect this summer.
| Tournament Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Host Nation | England and Wales |
| Dates | June 12 — July 5, 2026 |
| Total Teams | 12 |
| Total Matches | 33 |
| Semi-Finals | June 30 & July 2 — The Oval |
| Final | July 5 — Lord’s Cricket Ground |
The 12 Teams and How the Groups Break Down
Four nations — Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland — earned their spots through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier held in Nepal. They now join the eight established nations on the global stage.
Group 1: Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Netherlands
Group 2: West Indies, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland
The groups are fierce. Group 1 alone contains Australia, India, Pakistan and South Africa — genuinely one of the toughest round-robin pools in women’s cricket history. Group 2 has England, New Zealand and West Indies as the headliners, with Ireland and Scotland adding home nation flavour and real competitive edge.
The Standout Fixture — England vs Scotland at Headingley
This is the match everyone will be talking about. England face Scotland at Headingley on June 20 — the first time these two nations have met at a World Cup on English soil, in either the men’s or women’s game.
Scotland’s captain Kathryn Bryce summed it up perfectly — this is the closest Scotland will ever get to a home World Cup. Bryce, her sister Sarah, and spinner Abtaha Maqsood are expected to lead Scotland’s charge against a full-strength England side on one of cricket’s most iconic grounds.
The atmosphere at Headingley that evening is going to be special. Tickets are already in high demand.
Historic Moments for the Newcomers
Netherlands — First Ever World Cup Appearance
The Netherlands have qualified for their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup — a genuine milestone for Dutch women’s cricket. Captain Babbette De Leede called it an incredible sense of pride, noting it feels almost like a home tournament given the proximity to the Netherlands.
Key player Sterre Kallis of Yorkshire will get to showcase her talent against world-class opposition including India and Australia in the group stage.
Ireland and Scotland — Home Nation Rivalry
Ireland open their campaign against Scotland at Old Trafford on June 13 — a Celtic derby at a World Cup. Captain Gaby Lewis called it a dream come true, with friends and family able to make the trip easily from Ireland for the first time at a major tournament.
Both nations bring real competitive quality. This is not just feel-good participation — Ireland and Scotland have proven on the qualifier stage that they belong at this level.
| Key Fixture | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| England vs Sri Lanka | June 12 | Edgbaston |
| Scotland vs Ireland | June 13 | Old Trafford |
| India vs Pakistan | June 14 | Edgbaston |
| England vs Scotland | June 20 | Headingley |
| England vs West Indies | June 24 | Lord’s |
| Australia vs India | June 28 | Lord’s |
| Semi-Final 1 | June 30 | The Oval |
| Semi-Final 2 | July 2 | The Oval |
| Final | July 5 | Lord’s |
Bangladesh — Unbeaten in Qualifiers, Ready to Compete
Bangladesh went through the entire qualifier campaign unbeaten and captain Nigar Sultana Joty made clear the team is proud and motivated heading to England. They have never played in England before — so the conditions will be a new challenge — but their qualifying form shows this is a team in genuine rhythm.
Tough group stage tests await — Australia at Headingley on June 17 and India at Old Trafford on June 25 — but Bangladesh have proven before at Women’s World Cups that they are capable of upsets on the big stage.
The Venues — World Cricket’s Greatest Grounds
The ICC has put together an exceptional venue list for this tournament. Fans will see Women’s T20 World Cup cricket at some of the most iconic grounds in the game.
- Lord’s Cricket Ground — hosts the final on July 5. The home of cricket. No better stage for a world champion to be crowned
- Headingley, Leeds — northern heartland, electric atmosphere, England vs Scotland headline act
- Old Trafford, Manchester — India vs Pakistan on June 14. Enough said
- The Oval, London — both semi-finals on June 30 and July 2
- Hampshire Bowl, Southampton — multiple group stage fixtures
- Edgbaston, Birmingham — tournament opener on June 12
- Bristol County Ground — late group stage fixtures
Follow the full Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule alongside Women’s tournament dates to plan your cricket calendar for the entire year.
What This Means for Women’s Cricket
The ICC’s investment in women’s cricket is accelerating rapidly. A 12-team tournament, world-class venues, prime-time scheduling, and fixtures like India vs Pakistan at Old Trafford and England vs Scotland at Headingley — this is women’s cricket firmly in the mainstream, not on the sidelines.
New Zealand arrive as defending champions and will be the team everyone wants to beat. Australia and India will be the other title favourites. But in a format this volatile, any of the top six sides in these groups could realistically lift the trophy at Lord’s on July 5.
Check all participating teams and follow the latest cricket news and updates as both the Men’s and Women’s tournaments build toward their respective finals.
FAQs
Q. When does the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 start? The tournament begins on June 12, 2026 with England vs Sri Lanka at Edgbaston, and runs until the final at Lord’s on July 5.
Q. Which teams are in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026? The 12 teams are Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands, England, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Scotland.
Q. Where is the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 final? The final will be played at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on July 5, 2026.
Q. Is this Netherlands’ first Women’s T20 World Cup? Yes — the Netherlands have qualified for their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup after the qualifier tournament in Nepal.
Q. When do England play Scotland at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026? England face Scotland at Headingley on June 20, 2026 — the first ever World Cup clash between the two nations on English soil.
Q. Who are the defending champions at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026? New Zealand are the defending champions heading into the 2026 tournament in England and Wales.
