Three historic venues to host pre-tournament fixtures ahead of landmark 12-team ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales
LONDON, UK – July 2025 – The ICC has confirmed that Sophia Gardens (Cardiff), Derby County Ground, and Loughborough University will host official warm-up matches for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, ahead of the tournament’s official start on 12 June 2026.
These three venues have been selected for their deep-rooted association with women’s cricket and commitment to high-performance infrastructure. Loughborough is also home to the ECB’s National Cricket Performance Centre, a hub for elite training and development.
The full warm-up match schedule will be announced at a later date, with fixtures expected to include marquee clashes as the world’s top teams prepare for the expanded 12-nation tournament.
Elite venues set the tone for T20 World Cup 2026
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will see 12 teams compete across seven major venues in England and Wales, with 33 matches played over 24 days. The final will be held at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on 5 July 2026.
New Zealand enters the competition as defending champions, while eight teams have already qualified. The remaining four spots will be determined through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier to be held in 2025.
Confirmed warm-up venues:
- Sophia Gardens – Cardiff: Home to Glamorgan CCC, previously hosted ICC World Cup and Ashes matches
- Derby County Ground: A cornerstone of English women’s cricket, featured in previous World Cup events
- Loughborough University: ECB’s High Performance Centre, widely used by England women’s national teams
Tournament to showcase growth of women’s cricket
The 2026 edition marks a significant step forward for women’s cricket, with more teams, more matches, and wider visibility across global and local audiences. The event will highlight both the expansion of the women’s game and the importance of legacy infrastructure in supporting elite-level competition.
Fans can register for priority ticket access by signing up at womens.t20worldcup.com.
Quick facts:
- 🏆 Tournament Dates: 12 June – 5 July 2026
- 📍 Host Nations: England & Wales
- 🏟️ Number of Matches: 33
- 🏏 Teams: 12 (8 qualified + 4 via 2025 qualifier)
- 🎯 Final Venue: Lord’s, London
