Portugal Colonial - 2026 T20 World Cup 'biggest women's cricket event in England' - ECB

New Zealand will defend the title they won last year in a tournament that will run from June 12 to July 5, 2026, with Lord's and the Oval in London, Manchester's Old Trafford, Birmingham's Edgbaston, Hampshire's Rose Bowl ground, Headingley in Leeds and Bristol the match venues.

Lord's will stage the final, as the 'Home of Cricket' did when England's women won the 2017 50-over World Cup -- their last major global trophy.

But England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould believes next year's event will make even more of an impact.

“This will be the biggest women’s cricket event ever staged in England and Wales and is undoubtedly an opportunity to take the game to more people than ever before and welcome in new fans –- young and old," Gould said Thursday after the venues were announced.

"Crucially, this isn't just about scale, it's about providing a world-class experience for players, fans and broadcasters alike, ensuring that the tournament reflects the elite performance of the players on the pitch.

“We want this competition to be part of a long-term movement, and not just a single moment in time. This World Cup will grow a new generation of fans who didn't grow up with women's cricket but will never imagine sport without it."

There will be 12 teams vying for the title in England, an increase on the 10 when New Zealand were crowned T20 champions for the first time in October 2023 in the United Arab Emirates.

Eight sides are already guaranteed their place, while a qualifier next year will determine the final four participants.

The teams are set to be separated into two groups of six before a knockout stage, which will be confirmed at a later date, with the tournament also acting as a lead in to cricket's return to the Olympics, with a T20 competition at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

International Cricket Council chair Jay Shah said: "This tournament will bring together the world's finest players in a celebration of skill, spirit and sportsmanship.

"The United Kingdom's rich diversity has always shown passionate support for all teams, something we witnessed so memorably at past events.

"The sell-out Women's Cricket World Cup final at Lord’s in 2017 remains a landmark in the rise of the women's game, and I cannot think of a more fitting stage for the final."

T.Vitorino--PC