Nepal beats India-Pakistan to get massive ICC tournament hosting rights

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July 2026. But before this, the International Cricket Council stunned one and all by picking Nepal as the hosts for the major event ahead of the likes of India, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.

On Thursday, July 31, the governing body handed the honor of hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier to Nepal. This tournament will take place from 12 January to 2 February next year in an Asian country.

Nepal bags hosting rights for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier

In the Qualifier, ten teams will fight for four spots in the main tournament. It’s going to be a big challenge, and teams will give everything they have to make it to the biggest stage of women’s cricket next year. Bangladesh and Ireland have already booked their place in the Qualifier because they took part in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.

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From the Asia region, Thailand and Nepal have made it through the regional qualifiers. Nepal will have the support of their fans and will try their best to reach the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. The USA has also booked its place by winning in the Americas region.

The remaining five teams will come from the Africa, Europe, and East Asia-Pacific regions. Two teams, each from Africa and Europe, and one team from East Asia-Pacific will join the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier after they complete their own regional competitions.

Four Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 spots up for grabs

In the Qualifier, the ten teams will be divided into two groups of five. After the group matches, the top teams will go into a Super Six stage, where things will get even more interesting. The best teams from the Super Six stage will reach the Qualifier Final.

However, the top four teams overall will qualify for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales next year. As for the main tournament, the schedule is already confirmed. The mega event will start on 12 June 2026, with the final scheduled on 5 July 2026.

A total of 33 matches will be played over 24 days in the tournament. The matches will be held across seven famous venues in England and Wales, including Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester, Headingley in Leeds, Hampshire Bowl in Southampton, and the Bristol County Ground. The final will be held at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

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Public ballot opens for Women’s T20 World Cup tickets

Fans can now apply for tickets through the public ballot, which is open from July 30 until August 13. The first set of priority tickets was sold out in just 24 hours, and early interest has already brought in 10 percent of the expected total earnings, and England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt had already labelled the tournament “truly game-changing” for women’s cricket.