Waterloo Bridge was transformed into a live cricket pitch for the first time as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup officially launched in London.
London’s iconic Waterloo Bridge transformed into a live cricket pitch for the first time in its history as ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 launched in unmissable fashion
Captains of all 12 participating nations unite publicly for the first time in a show-stopping Captain’s Carnival
Fans from London and host cities across the country took part in street-themed cricket games and entertainment as England and Wales gears up to host the best in women’s cricket
Don’t miss out on the chance to be a part of history – final tickets available at: tickets.womens.t20worldcup.com
The landmark event brought together captains from all 12 participating nations ahead of the tournament’s opening match on 12 June, creating a spectacular celebration of women’s cricket and building excitement for a competition set to captivate fans across England and Wales.
The bridge swapped traffic for cricket as all 12 captains of the competing nations gathered on a purpose-built cricket pitch against the backdrop of iconic London landmarks Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye, just five days before the tournament begins in England and Wales.
Stepping off a quintessential red double-decker bus, the world’s best players took part in cricketing challenges in front of gathered crowds above the Thames. The event marked the first public gathering of all 12 captains ahead of the tournament, providing a striking backdrop as teams get set to compete to become world champions.
Fans from across the capital and tournament host cities of Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and Southampton were invited to take part in street cricket and interactive games, transforming Waterloo Bridge into an open-air celebration of cricket. Roaming performers brought the colour and energy of competing nations to the capital, signalling that the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has officially arrived in England and Wales.
England Women’s captain Nat Sciver-Brunt said: “Playing cricket on Waterloo Bridge isn’t something you get to do every day. It’s a special way to kick off a home tournament that’s for sure!
“The excitement has been building for such a long time now and the squad is ready. We’ve put in the hard work, the practice and the performances now over several months, and we just can’t wait to get out there in front of the crowds and give it everything we’ve got.”
ICC Chairman, Jay Shah said: “This is a landmark moment for women’s Cricket and a fitting way to launch what we believe will be the most exciting and ambitious ICC Women’s T20 World Cup ever staged. This will help elevate the buzz and excitement around the event, providing the final boost to the anticipation for the tournament before the first ball is bowled on June 12 in Birmingham. This event is another expression of the ICC’s commitment and belief linked to the agenda of building a more inclusive, global game.”
Beth Barrett-Wild, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Tournament Director said: “Today felt pretty surreal – we turned Waterloo Bridge into a cricket pitch and assembled 12 of the best female players on the planet, alongside hundreds of fans, to play on it! It’s a brilliant reminder that the T20 World Cup is almost here and the sheer scale of our ambition. The excitement is building every day, and with fans already snapping up tickets in record numbers, the tournament is shaping up to be one of the unmissable events of the summer.”
This summer, England and Wales will host the best cricketers on the planet as teams from across the globe compete for the ultimate prize. From the opening match at Edgbaston (Birmingham) to the final at Lord’s Cricket Ground (London), matches will be played across host cities including Old Trafford (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), Hampshire Bowl (Southampton), Bristol County Ground (Bristol) and The Oval (London). The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 promises fierce rivalries, memorable moments and a festival atmosphere at every venue.
The 12 competing nations are England, India, Australia, Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.