Hampshire to host Women’s World Cup 2026 games

By Connor Steel

HAMPSHIRE CRICKET has announced that International Cricket will again be hosted at the ‘Utilita Bowl’ next summer as the venue was confirmed for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup; which is scheduled to take place in stadiums across the country and will showcase super-stars from the women’s game along with bringing in larger mainstream audiences.

A press statement from event organisers was outlined on Thursday (May 1) and stated that this Southampton facility is one of 7 stadiums that will feature in this tournament starting on June 12, 2026. It continues a fine record for this site in terms of hosting international ties dating back to 2003 including both men’s and women’s matches with sell-out crowds.

This expanded tournament will feature the total of twelve teams across two groups and the top two from each table will progress into the 2 semi-finals. Eight of these teams have already been decided and they will be playing alongside four unknown participants for this competition which will last twenty-four days and culminate in the ‘final’ to be held at Lords.

Matches are furthermore being played at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Headingley, Edgbaston, Kia Oval and the Bristol County Ground; which have all met grading criteria from the ICC. The schedule of fixtures will likely be confirmed once the twelve sides are decided in the coming weeks and months pending results from the planned qualifying tournament.

Readers can read quotes from ICC Chair, Jay Shah, and the English Cricket Board CEO, Richard Gould, via the online link; which also includes details / ticket prices of fixtures at the ‘Utilita Bowl’ including international and domestic cricket.

PICTURED BY ALAMY (TDAK9H): The Utilita Bowl will host matches in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup during 2026.