Tournament director beth barrett

National Cricket Performance Centre: Three well-known cricket venues in England and Wales – Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Derby County Ground and Loughborough University – have been confirmed as warm-up match hosts for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

These grounds will stage key preparatory games ahead of the tournament’s official start on June 12, 2026 when the first match will be played at Edgbaston.

All three venues have a strong history of supporting women’s cricket and will now play a key role in showcasing top-level talent before the tournament begins. Loughborough, which houses the ECB’s National Cricket Performance Centre, has long been at the heart of England’s player development. Sophia Gardens and Derby have also hosted important women’s international matches in recent years.