The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 opened in England on Friday, with the host nation taking on Sri Lanka at Edgbaston in Birmingham in the tournament’s first match. Twelve nations will compete across five weeks, with the final scheduled for July 5 at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. It is the first time England and Wales have hosted the Women’s T20 World Cup.

The twelve teams are split into two groups of six. Australia, England, India, New Zealand, and the West Indies are among the participants. The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals, followed by the Lord’s final.

England’s warm-up campaign showed mixed results. The team beat India in a close finish during preparation, with captain Heather Knight leading the batting effort. India warmed up with a comfortable win over the West Indies. Australia, the defending champions, impressed in their final warm-up, with Ellyse Perry scoring heavily.

The tournament runs until July 5 across nine venues in England and Wales, including Old Trafford in Manchester and Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. Day and night matches are scheduled throughout the group stage to maximise attendance and broadcast reach.

Women’s cricket has grown significantly in global reach since the last cycle. Broadcast rights for the 2026 edition cover over 200 territories, up from 140 previously. Ticket sales for England’s group stage matches sold out within hours of going on sale, according to the ICC. The governing body said this edition had generated more commercial interest than any previous Women’s T20 World Cup.

England coach Jon Lewis named a squad built around experienced campaigners and younger talent. All-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt is central to England’s campaign as a high-impact batter and seam bowler. Sophie Ecclestone is the world’s top-ranked women’s T20 bowler entering the competition. India are considered tournament favourites by most analysts, with Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur leading a dominant batting unit. Australia’s depth makes them the most consistent threat. The FIFA World Cup is running simultaneously across North America, creating an unusually packed global sports calendar for June and July 2026. Both tournaments are drawing record television audiences in their respective regions. Full fixtures, group tables, and squad lists are maintained on the International Cricket Council website. England’s opening match against Sri Lanka was scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm local time on Friday afternoon at Edgbaston.