ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 & T20 World Cup 2026 – Venues and Dates Announced

ICC Confirms Schedules for Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026

Summary

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially unveiled the much-anticipated venues and dates for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, setting the stage for an unprecedented 12 months in women’s cricket. With India and England taking hosting duties for the two global tournaments, the announcement marks a key step in the ICC’s strategic push to grow the women’s game, both commercially and globally.

The Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will be hosted across four cities in India and one in Sri Lanka from 30 September to 2 November, while the T20 World Cup 2026 in England will kick off on 12 June 2026, with the final at Lord’s on 5 July. These tournaments promise world-class cricket, landmark moments, and a celebration of how far the women’s game has come.

India and Sri Lanka to Host ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Returning to the subcontinent after over a decade, the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will feature eight teams battling it out in a round-robin format. The tournament will begin on 30 September 2025, with India playing the opener in Bengaluru, and conclude with the final on 2 November, either in Bengaluru or Colombo, depending on qualification scenarios involving Pakistan.

Matches will be played at five venues M. Chinnaswamy Stadium (Bengaluru), ACA Stadium (Guwahati), Holkar Stadium (Indore), ACA-VDCA Stadium (Visakhapatnam), and the R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo). Notably, Colombo will host one semifinal and the final only if Pakistan makes it into those stages, ensuring neutral and diplomatic venue planning.

This World Cup will bring international women’s cricket back to India in a big way, as the last global women’s tournament hosted in the country was the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2016. With increasing domestic popularity and new infrastructure across host cities, this is being seen as a pivotal opportunity to elevate women’s cricket in India.

England Set to Host T20 World Cup 2026: A Homecoming for Global Stars

Just months after the 50-over tournament, England will host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, marking another milestone in what is arguably the busiest and most exciting calendar year for the women’s game.

The tournament will start on 12 June 2026 at Edgbaston in Birmingham, where England Women will play the curtain-raiser. Over 33 matches across 24 days, the competition will travel through iconic cricket venues, with the semifinals staged at The Oval on 30 June and 2 July, and the grand finale at Lord’s on 5 July.

Ticket pricing has been carefully considered to encourage wide attendance, with £15 for adults and £5 for juniors for the opener, and final match tickets starting from £30 and £15, respectively. This reflects the ICC’s continued commitment to accessibility and fan engagement.

The tournament venues ranging from Old Trafford and Headingley to The Hampshire Bowl and Bristol County Ground—underline the ECB’s goal of providing nationwide reach and visibility. Fans across the UK will get a front-row seat to see the world’s best compete for the coveted T20 title, currently held by New Zealand.

A Word from the ICC: Vision Beyond Just Matches

Commenting on the dual announcement, ICC Chairman Jay Shah reiterated the organisation’s intent to place women’s cricket at the center of global growth.

“Women’s cricket stands at the forefront of our vision, and we are confident these two upcoming tournaments will not only sustain the incredible momentum we've built but lift it to greater heights.”

The timing couldn’t be better. With leagues like WPL (Women’s Premier League) in India and The Hundred in England already drawing strong audiences and talent pools, both nations are uniquely placed to deliver high-impact, world-class events. These World Cups will not just entertain they will serve as pivotal benchmarks in the evolution of the women’s game.

New Format, Greater Stakes: What to Expect in 2025 and 2026

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will follow a round-robin format with eight teams, leading to two semifinals and a final. Each team will play seven group matches, creating a competitive, balanced tournament structure.

In contrast, the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will feature an expanded field of 12 teams, emphasizing global inclusion. Eight of those have already qualified, with the remaining four to emerge from a T20 World Cup Qualifier in 2026.

This increase in participating teams marks a clear shift in strategy, with the ICC embracing competitiveness, emerging markets, and wider engagement. Fans can expect fresh matchups, unpredictable outcomes, and breakthrough moments from lesser-known cricketing nations.

Ticketing, Fan Experience, and a Global Audience

Both tournaments have outlined early ticket sales models. Fans are encouraged to register interest for exclusive presale access starting 12 June 2025. These presale opportunities apply to the opening matches, semifinals, and finals of both tournaments.

With ticket prices made intentionally affordable, the ICC hopes to attract families, schools, and community groups, aiming for packed stadiums throughout the tournament windows. The integration of fan zones, digital activations, and community events in host cities is also on the cards, all geared toward building long-term fanbases for women’s cricket.

Given the success of recent ICC events, streaming and broadcast coverage are expected to be expansive, with multi-language commentary and enhanced digital experiences planned for a global audience.

India vs England: Two Hosts, One Global Vision

While separated by geography, India and England are aligned in their mission: grow the women’s game. The opportunity to host these back-to-back global events signals recognition of the resources, infrastructure, and audiences that both countries can offer.

India, with its cricket-obsessed fan culture and growing women’s league system, is poised to use the ODI World Cup as a springboard for domestic change potentially spurring more investment into grassroots women’s cricket.

Meanwhile, England, with its deep-rooted cricket history and success in promoting inclusive events, will look to push women’s T20 cricket to commercial and competitive heights with a final at Lord’s, the “home of cricket.”

Together, these two tournaments spanning two formats and two continents will shape the narrative of global women’s cricket for years to come.