Utilita Bowl hosting Women’s T20 Worlds

Article posted by Coliseum, May 6^th, 2025

Image: Utilita Bowl

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is heading to the Utilita Bowl in Southampton.

Utilita Bowl said the venue is one of seven confirmed for the tournament, alongside Lord’s, Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Headingley, Edgbaston, The Oval and Bristol County Ground.

The 25,000-capacity Rose Bowl, known for sponsorship reasons as the Utilita Bowl, is a cricket ground and hotel complex in West End, Hampshire (UK). It is the home of Hampshire County Cricket Club, which has played there since 2001.

The competition will kick off on Friday 12 June before culminating at Lord’s, 33 fixtures and 24 days later, showcasing the best of the global women’s game and seeking to take women’s cricket into the mainstream.

An expanded competition will see 12 teams descend on England and Wales to compete for the prestigious trophy that is currently held by New Zealand who won it in 2024.

The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup was the ninth edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Originally scheduled to be hosted in Bangladesh from 3 to 20 October 2024, it was later relocated to the United Arab Emirates due to political unrest in Bangladesh.

The schedule of the 2026 tournament, which will see the teams competing in two groups followed by a knockout stage, will be announced in due course.

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

England and Wales were awarded hosting rights for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in 2022, with the seven host venues selected subsequently following evaluation of various criteria.

Jay Shah, ICC Chair, said, “The confirmation of venues represents a defining moment as we build towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. 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.

“As we turn our focus to preparing for the tournament, we are excited by the promise of thrilling T20 action that will not only captivate fans here but also serve as a showcase for cricket’s return on the Olympic stage in Los Angeles 2028.”

Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer added, “We are hugely excited for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, and thrilled to be able to confirm the seven iconic venues that will host the tournament.

“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.

“Crucially though 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.”

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