Heather Knight told Sky Sports that England’s goal for the home‑hosted Women’s T20 World Cup, which kicks off in June, is to "create a real legacy for women’s cricket in this country," echoing the achievements of the Lionesses in football and the Red Roses in rugby. The tournament marks the first time England has hosted the event since the 2009 edition, a World Cup they won, and follows the women’s side’s own triumph in the 2017 50‑over World Cup – a competition Knight captained to victory. Now, at 35, Knight observes that the environment for women’s sport has shifted dramatically over the past decade. The Lionesses captured consecutive UEFA Women’s Euro titles in 2022 and 2025, the latter in front of a sold‑out Wembley Stadium, while the Red Roses lifted the Rugby World Cup in September at a packed Twickenham.
"The focus now is women’s cricket at the World Cup, so it’s really exciting – it’s not far away and it gives us a chance to do something special as a team," she said. Knight reflected on the rarity of playing a major tournament on home soil. "It’s probably my second home World Cup, if everything goes well, and it feels extraordinary.
Friends and family can attend, we know the grounds and the conditions, and that home support is crucial," she explained. She recalled the surge in crowds during the 2017 final at Lord’s, describing it as "super special" and noting how that experience underscored the potential to influence the sport’s future. "If we perform well this summer we can leave a real legacy for women’s cricket in England," she added. Beyond the on‑field action, Knight highlighted the broader changes in the women’s game.
"It took a while for success to translate into structural change, but the landscape is now very different. The domestic game is professional, there’s a clear pathway, and being a women’s cricketer is becoming far more visible and normal," she said.
She praised the models set by the Lionesses and Red Roses, saying she follows their progress closely and knows many of the players. "We want to replicate that impact, inspire girls to see cricket as a normal, great option, and ultimately make the sport more inclusive." The England women’s side has struggled with form recently, but Knight emphasized the squad’s determination to embrace the pressure of a home World Cup. "The mood is good.
We haven’t played much this winter after the 50‑over World Cup, so we’re eager to get back together, feel international cricket again, and build toward the T20 tournament," she said. She spoke about the importance of team meetings to define roles, strategies, and how to handle the heightened expectations of playing at home. "We’ll have many conversations about managing pressure and attacking the tournament from day one," she added. In the lead‑up to the event, the sport has seen unprecedented grassroots engagement.
With 50 days remaining, more than 236,000 children from over 1,350 schools participated in Schools Cricket Day – the largest single‑day cricket participation effort in UK history. Knight joined over 200 youngsters at a vibrant cricket festival at Raynes Park Sports Ground in London, taking part in drills, matches, and meet‑and‑greets with aspiring players. The day also featured educational games developed by UNICEF under its "Rights in Play" programme, aiming to teach child‑rights concepts through cricket activities. ICC chairman Jay Shah praised the initiative, saying the excitement building across the UK ahead of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup is evident, and that many of the children taking part may be playing cricket for the first time.
He noted the tournament’s expansion from ten to twelve teams as a sign of the ICC’s commitment to growing the women’s game globally and creating more opportunities for players and fans. Gemma Barton, the ECB’s head of strategic growth, echoed this sentiment, stating that events like Schools Cricket Day demonstrate how the Women’s T20 World Cup is shaping cricket’s future. She emphasized that every child picking up a bat and ball sees how inclusive and fun the sport can be, and that the legacy extends beyond the summer to a sustained increase in participation, team development, and a sense of belonging.
Financially, the ICC announced a 10 percent increase in the total prize fund for the 2026 tournament, with the winners set to receive $2.34 million (£1.74 million) and the runners‑up $1.17 million (£871,000). While the top two prize amounts remain the same as in 2024, all twelve participating teams are guaranteed a minimum of $247,500 (£184,245), more than double the 2024 baseline. This reflects a 134 percent rise in prize money for the top two teams compared with the 2023 edition in Australia. When New Zealand won the 2024 tournament, the total pot was $7.958 million (£5.926 million); the expansion to twelve teams has pushed the total to $8.765 million (£6.528 million).
Tournament director Beth Barrett‑Wild described the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup as a "landmark moment" poised to become the most attended women’s cricket event ever, with record ticket demand and the largest prize pool for a global women’s T20 competition. The prize breakdown includes $2.34 million for the champions, $1.17 million for the runners‑up, $675,000 for each losing semi‑finalist, $31,154 for each group‑stage win, and a guaranteed $247,500 for every team.
Overall, Knight’s message is clear: the combination of a supportive home crowd, professional domestic structures, and a growing grassroots base offers a unique opportunity to cement a lasting legacy for women’s cricket in England. By delivering strong performances on the world stage and inspiring the next generation, the England women aim to turn the 2026 home World Cup into a catalyst for long‑term growth and greater visibility for the sport.