ISLAMABAD: Three elite venues have been added to the list of grounds that will play their part in the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales.

Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens, Derby Cou­nty Ground and Loughborough Univ­e­rsity home of the ECB’s National Cricket Performance Centre will play host to a range of warm-ups before the tournament gets underway on June 12, 2026.

All three venues share a rich cricketing pedigree and have played a part in propelling women’s cricket on to the global stage. They will play a prominent role in showcasing elite women’s cricket to local fans before the start of the showpiece.

The warm-ups, the full schedule of which will be revealed in due course, will see the best in the world go head-to-head as they prepare for next summer’s groundbreaking tournament.

The expanded Women’s T20 World Cup will see 12 teams compete for the prestigious trophy that is currently held by New Zealand. In all, 33 matches will be played at seven iconic venues across the 24-day competition, before the final takes place at Lord’s on July 5.

Eight countries are already sure of their place, with the final four participants to be decided through a T20 World Cup Qualifier next year.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2025