The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is underway in England. Twelve teams, seven venues, thirty-three matches, one title — and a tournament that has already broken records before the knockout rounds have even been scheduled. This is the complete guide, updated as the group stage develops.
Quick Facts
- Host: England & Wales (ECB)
- Dates: 12 June – 5 July 2026
- Edition: 10th ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
- Teams: 12 (largest field in the competition’s history, up from 10)
- Matches: 33
- Venues: 7
- Defending champions: New Zealand (2024)
- Prize pool: $8.76 million — champions earn at least $2.34 million
- Tournament debutants: Netherlands, competing in the Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time
The Two Groups
Each group plays a full round-robin — five matches per team. The top two from each group advance to the semi-finals.
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| Australia | England (hosts) |
| Bangladesh | Ireland |
| India | New Zealand (defending champions) |
| Netherlands | Scotland |
| Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
| South Africa | West Indies |
Venues
| Venue | City | Role in Tournament |
|---|---|---|
| Edgbaston Cricket Ground | Birmingham | Opening match; India vs Pakistan (18,814 sell-out — record Women’s T20 WC group attendance) |
| Old Trafford Cricket Ground | Manchester | Group stage fixtures |
| The Ageas Bowl (Rose Bowl) | Southampton | Group stage fixtures |
| Headingley Cricket Ground | Leeds | Group stage fixtures |
| County Ground | Bristol | Group stage fixtures |
| The Oval | London | Both semi-finals (30 June and 2 July) |
| Lord’s Cricket Ground | London | The Final (5 July 2026) |
Group Stage Results
Updated through June 16, 2026. This table will be kept current as the group stage progresses.
| Date | Match | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Jun | England vs Sri Lanka | England won by 87 runs (ENG 219/1, SL 132) | Edgbaston |
| 13 Jun | Scotland vs Ireland | Scotland won by 40 runs (SCO 161/5, IRE 121) | Old Trafford |
| 13 Jun | Australia vs South Africa | Australia won by 65 runs (AUS 172/8, SA 107) | Old Trafford |
| 13 Jun | New Zealand vs West Indies | West Indies won by 7 wkts (NZ 162/6, WI 163/3) | Southampton |
| 14 Jun | Netherlands vs Bangladesh | Bangladesh won by 6 wkts (NED 139/8, BAN 141/4) | Edgbaston |
| 14 Jun | India vs Pakistan | India won by 64 runs (IND 170/6, PAK 106) | Edgbaston |
| 16 Jun | New Zealand vs Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka won by 5 wkts (NZ 150/6, SL 153/5) | Southampton |
| 16 Jun | England vs Ireland | England won (result confirmed) | Southampton |
Current Group Standings
Standings as of June 16, after the first round of group fixtures. Updated as matches complete.
Group A
| Team | P | W | L | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +3.250 |
| India | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +3.200 |
| Bangladesh | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.407 |
| Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | –0.407 |
| Pakistan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | –3.200 |
| South Africa | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | –3.250 |
Group B
| Team | P | W | L | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | +2.763 |
| Scotland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +2.000 |
| West Indies | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.118 |
| Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | –2.040 |
| New Zealand | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | –2.100 |
| Ireland | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | –2.700 |
Defending Champions and Title Contenders
New Zealand — Defending, but in trouble early
New Zealand won the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, with Amelia Kerr’s all-round brilliance (29 T20I wickets in 2024, Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy winner) the centrepiece of their title run. They arrive in England as defending champions and as the pre-tournament pick of many analysts. They have lost their first two matches — to West Indies and to Sri Lanka. A third defeat ends their tournament. The group stage is unforgiving and New Zealand have no margin left.
England — Hosts, record-setters, and the early frontrunners
England opened the tournament by scoring 219 for 1 against Sri Lanka — the highest team total in Women’s T20 World Cup history. Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s unbeaten 105 was the centrepiece, making her the oldest player to score a century in WT20Is among full-member teams. England are unbeaten in two matches and lead Group B by a significant net run rate margin. Home conditions, home crowds, and a squad with depth at every position make them the realistic favourite to reach the final.
India — Tournament form and a statement win
India beat Pakistan by 64 runs in the tournament’s biggest group-stage fixture — a sell-out 18,814 at Edgbaston, the largest crowd ever for a Women’s T20 World Cup group match. Smriti Mandhana scored 68 to lift India from 18 for 2 to 170 for 6, their highest T20 World Cup total against Pakistan. Deepti Sharma then took 5 for 10, removing the last three Pakistan wickets in five balls. India carry momentum from winning the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup on home soil, and Deepti — now the all-time leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20I cricket with 166 wickets — is the most dangerous bowler in this tournament.
Australia — Title-record holders, opening win in hand
Australia have won the Women’s T20 World Cup more times than any other nation. Their opening win over South Africa by 65 runs was professional rather than spectacular — a reminder that Australia’s value in tournaments is not individual match brilliance but structural reliability. When it matters most, in knockout cricket, Australia’s experience tends to matter more than group-stage performances suggest.
Storylines to Watch
India vs Pakistan — already the match of the tournament
The June 14 fixture at Edgbaston drew 18,814 spectators — a record for a Women’s T20 World Cup group match — and delivered cricket that justified the attention. India recovered from 18 for 2, Mandhana anchored the innings with 68, and Deepti Sharma destroyed Pakistan’s middle and lower order. The rivalry that drives cricket’s largest audience delivered in every sense. Both teams meet again only if they reach the final; that prospect will drive interest through every remaining group match.
New Zealand’s title defence on the brink
Losing to West Indies was a surprise. Losing to Sri Lanka — a side that lost to England by 87 runs two days earlier — in Southampton was alarming. New Zealand must win their remaining three group matches, and even then will need results to go their way. For a team of New Zealand’s quality and experience, two defeats from two is an extraordinary position to be defending from.
Netherlands’ historic debut
The Netherlands are competing in the Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time. Their opening match loss to Bangladesh was not unexpected — Bangladesh are an established international side — but how Netherlands perform across their five group fixtures will matter for the long-term development of women’s cricket in Associate nations.
How to Watch
| Region | TV / Platform | Details |
|---|---|---|
| India | Star Sports / JioHotstar | All matches live; English + Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada commentary for India fixtures |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports Cricket / Sky Sports Main Event | All matches on Sky; England, Ireland opening matches and the final free-to-air on Sky Mix |
| USA | Willow TV | Also available via Sling TV (Desi Binge Plus or Dakshin Flex plans from $10/month) |
| Australia | Fox Cricket / Kayo Sports | Check local listings for scheduling |
Knockout Stage
- Semi-Final 1: The Oval, London — 30 June 2026
- Semi-Final 2: The Oval, London — 2 July 2026
- Final: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London — 5 July 2026
The top two teams from each group — four teams total — contest the semi-finals. The semi-final winners meet in the final at Lord’s. England, India, and Australia are currently best-placed to reach the knockouts. The fourth semi-final spot is genuinely open: Scotland, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh all have realistic routes depending on results over the coming week.
FAQ
Who won the last Women’s T20 World Cup?
New Zealand won the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, held in Bangladesh. They defeated South Africa in the final. Amelia Kerr won the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy as the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year for 2024 off the back of that campaign.
How many teams are in the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup?
12 teams — the largest field in the competition’s history, expanded from 10. The Netherlands are competing for the first time.
Where is the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup final?
Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, on 5 July 2026.
When are the semi-finals?
Both semi-finals are at The Oval in London — 30 June and 2 July 2026.
What is the prize money?
The ICC has allocated a prize pool of $8.76 million for the tournament. The winning team earns at least $2.34 million.
Where is the Women’s T20 World Cup being played?
Seven venues across England: Edgbaston (Birmingham), Old Trafford (Manchester), The Ageas Bowl (Southampton), Headingley (Leeds), County Ground (Bristol), The Oval (London), and Lord’s (London).
For the men’s equivalent played earlier this year — India beat New Zealand in the final in Colombo — see the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 guide. For a broader look at the records being broken in this tournament, the full cricket records hub covers Women’s T20 World Cup historical milestones and career statistics.
