In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, stars Emma Kingston and Zizi Strallen will lead the full cast of Wicked as Elphaba and Glinda in a live performance before hosts England take on Sri Lanka in the opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The performance forms part of the ICC’s vision to elevate the tournament beyond sport by creating culturally significant experiences that combine elite cricket with world-class entertainment.
The event also coincides with the 20th anniversary of Wicked’s celebrated run in London’s West End.
With more than 150,000 tickets already sold, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has become the highest-selling edition of the tournament to date, with anticipation continuing to build ahead of the opening fixture in Birmingham.
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta was elated to join hands with Wicked to attract a wider audience to cricket.
“Our core belief is that the ICC’s marquee global events should serve as platforms for content, community, culture and commerce with the athletic spectacle as the core product.
“Partnering with the globally celebrated production of Wicked for the opening ceremony of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 reflects our ambition to take the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 beyond its existing position of a premier sporting event into expanded realms of culture and entertainment. The association with Wicked also helps attract an audience which is increasingly seeking novel, enriching, big-event experiences.
“We want to blend sport, music and culture in a way that transcends the traditional boundaries around our competitions. With this performance, we aim to create an immersive, globally resonant moment that drives deeper interest for the event, targets wider cohorts of fans and fosters an enriched sense of community.
“The Women’s T20 World Cup has grown into one of the most watched and followed women’s sporting events globally, and with this opening ceremony, we are demonstrating that the ICC is committed to delivering novel, world-class experiences both in the stadium and across engagement platforms to billions of fans.”