ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Final at Lord’s | Full Venue List

Lord’s to Host Final of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 as England Prepares for Landmark Tournament

In what promises to be a defining moment for women’s cricket, the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground will host the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday, July 5. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the women’s game, as the tournament expands to 12 teams and 33 matches across seven prestigious venues in England and Wales.

Lord’s Chosen for Historic Finale

Widely revered as the “Home of Cricket,” Lord’s is no stranger to historic finals. It last hosted a women’s world final in 2017 when England clinched a dramatic victory over India in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. That match drew a sell-out crowd and has since been hailed as a turning point in the global visibility of women’s cricket. Returning to Lord’s for the 2026 final is a symbolic nod to that breakthrough moment and a powerful statement of intent to keep growing the women’s game.

Alongside Lord’s, the tournament will take place at six other high-profile venues: Old Trafford, Headingley, Edgbaston, The Oval, Hampshire Bowl, and Bristol County Ground. The group stage and knockout fixtures will span 24 days, starting Friday, June 12, offering fans a rich spread of cricketing action leading up to the final.

An Expanded, Global ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

The 2026 edition will be the largest Women’s T20 World Cup yet, with 12 international teams competing up from 10 in the previous editions. Eight of these teams have already qualified, while the final four will earn their spots through a qualifying event in 2025. This expanded format reflects the rapid global growth of women’s cricket and will introduce new matchups, narratives, and emerging talents to a global audience.

The format will see two groups followed by knockout rounds. The official schedule, team groupings, and fixtures will be released by the ICC in the coming months. However, the confirmed venues already indicate a high-quality experience for players and fans alike, with historic stadiums ready to host the sport’s most elite women athletes.

A Platform for Equity and Excellence

The launch of the tournament was celebrated at Lord’s with prominent names from British women’s sport, including England cricket stars Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, and Lauren Bell, alongside rugby international Ellie Kildunne. Their presence underlined a central message of the tournament: that this World Cup is not just about cricket it’s about changing perceptions, inspiring the next generation, and accelerating equality in sport.

Jay Shah, Chair of the ICC, spoke about the moment’s significance. “The confirmation of venues represents a defining moment as we build towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. The UK’s passionate and diverse fanbase has always shown incredible support. Hosting the final at Lord’s once again will bring emotional and symbolic resonance to this global tournament,” he stated.

Echoing that, ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould added: “This is the biggest women’s cricket event ever staged in England and Wales. Our goal isn’t just scale it’s to deliver a world-class experience for players, fans, and broadcasters. We hope this tournament helps build a generation that never saw cricket without women in it.”

Women’s Cricket at a Historic High

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 arrives at a time when women’s cricket is reaching new heights of popularity and professionalism. The 2020 T20 World Cup final in Melbourne set a record with over 86,000 fans in attendance. More recently, packed stadiums in Cape Town (2023) and Dubai (2024) have reinforced the idea that women’s cricket is a standalone product capable of drawing massive live and broadcast audiences.

This surge in visibility has translated into greater investment and media attention. Women’s franchise leagues like the Women’s Premier League in India and The Hundred in England have given players lucrative platforms, raised standards, and widened the game’s global appeal.

The 2026 edition will also be a timely boost ahead of cricket’s return to the Olympics in Los Angeles 2028. A successful T20 World Cup in England could help solidify cricket’s gender-equal future on the Olympic stage, further validating the ICC’s strategic efforts to grow the women’s game.

What to Expect from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

With seven of England’s premier cricket venues in play, fans can expect packed houses and world-class contests across historic grounds. The ECB has already indicated that the competition will not only spotlight international stars but also bring high-impact fan engagement, regional outreach, and legacy-building initiatives to keep the momentum going long after the final is played.

One of the key storylines will be whether defending champions New Zealand can maintain their stronghold or if powerhouses like Australia, England, or India can dethrone them. Emerging teams like Bangladesh and Ireland will also have the opportunity to challenge and build on their World Cup credentials.

Ticket registrations are already open, and the early interest suggests this will be one of the fastest-selling women’s cricket tournaments ever hosted in the UK.

A Defining Chapter Awaits

Lord’s hosting the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 isn’t just a scheduling decision it’s a landmark step in what has been a transformational journey for women’s cricket. The vision is clear: elite competition, widespread visibility, and a celebration of women’s sport on the grandest stage.

For players, it offers the promise of competing at cricket’s most prestigious venues. For fans, it’s a chance to witness sporting history. And for the sport itself, the tournament is poised to spark long-term growth, not just in England, but around the globe.