The iconic Lord’s cricket ground is set to host the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup final.
The tournament will begin on June 12 next year. Apart from Lord’s, The Oval, Old Trafford, Headingley, the Hampshire Bowl, Edgbaston, and the Bristol County Ground are also the other venues.
New Zealand will go into the 2026 tournament as the defending champions.
The expanded 12-team tournament will see 33 games played over 24 days. Eight teams – hosts England, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies – have already secured their spots for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Four additional teams will join them through the Qualifier scheduled next year.
The 12 teams will be split into two groups of six for the group stage, followed by the knockout rounds and finals.
The final is set for July 5, 2026. Lord’s hosted the final of the 50-over World Cup in 2017, when England defeated India for the title.
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ICC Chair Jay Shah described the confirmation of venues as “a defining moment.”
“The United Kingdom’s rich diversity has always shown passionate support for all teams, something we witnessed so memorably at past events,” he said. “The sell-out Women’s Cricket World Cup final at Lord’s in 2017 remains a landmark in the rise of the women’s game, and I cannot think of a more fitting stage for the final.
“As we turn our focus to preparing for the tournament, we are excited by the promise of thrilling T20 action that will not only captivate fans here but also serve as a showcase for cricket’s return on the Olympic stage in Los Angeles 2028.”
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Richard Gould, the ECB’s CEO, said: “It is of course extra special to announce that the final will be taking place at Lord’s. It is one of the finest venues in world cricket, and every cricketer dreams of being part of occasions like a World Cup final at Lord’s.
“This will be the biggest women’s cricket event ever staged in England and Wales and is undoubtedly an opportunity to take the game to more people than ever before and welcome new fans – young and old.
“We want this competition to be part of a long-term movement, and not just a single moment in time. This World Cup will grow a new generation of fans who didn’t grow up with women’s cricket but will never imagine sport without it.”
