Heather Knight recently sat down with Sky Sports to discuss England's ambitions for the upcoming home Women's T20 World Cup, which kicks off in June. She explained that the board’s primary goal is to "create a real legacy for women's cricket in this country," drawing inspiration from the successes of the Lionesses in football and the Red Roses in rugby.
This will be the first time England has hosted the tournament since 2009, a year in which the women's side captured the World Cup title. It also follows the triumph of the England women's 50‑over side at the 2017 World Cup, a competition that Knight captained to victory. The 35‑year‑old captain reflected on how dramatically the environment for women's sport has evolved since those landmark moments. "The landscape of women's sport has changed considerably," Knight said.
"Our Lionesses have won back‑to‑back European Championships in 2022 and 2025, the first of those finals played in front of a sold‑out Wembley, while the Red Roses lifted the Rugby World Cup at a packed Twickenham last September. Those achievements have shifted public perception and raised the bar for all women's teams in England." She added that the upcoming T20 World Cup presents a rare career moment: "It’s probably my second home tournament, if everything goes well, and playing on familiar grounds with friends and family in the stands is incredibly special. The support at home is a huge advantage." Knight recalled the atmosphere of the 2017 final at Lord’s, noting how the growing crowds added a magical element to the event. "It was huge for us in 2017 – the way the crowds built and the final at Lord’s, it’s super special.
This time we have a chance to make an even bigger impact and leave a lasting legacy for women's cricket," she said. She emphasized that the sport’s infrastructure has improved markedly. "It took a little time for that success to translate into structural changes.
Today, the domestic women's game is professional, the pathways are clearer, and visibility is far greater. It’s becoming normal for a girl to pick up a bat and aspire to play cricket at the highest level." Knight expressed hope that the tournament’s success would inspire the next generation. "We want to do something similar to what the Lionesses and Red Roses have achieved – inspire kids, make a girl playing cricket feel completely normal and exciting." Despite a recent dip in form, the England side is determined to approach the home World Cup with enthusiasm and resilience. "The mood’s really good," Knight said.
"We haven’t played much cricket this winter since the 50‑over World Cup, so we’re itching to get back together, feel the rhythm of international cricket again, and build towards the T20 World Cup." She highlighted the importance of embracing the pressure that comes with hosting. "We’ll have lots of conversations about how to manage that pressure and turn it into a positive force. It’s about attacking the tournament from day one," she explained. The excitement surrounding the event is already evident on the grassroots level.
With just 50 days left until the tournament, Schools Cricket Day saw over 236,000 children from more than 1,350 schools across the United Kingdom pick up a bat and ball – the largest single‑day cricket participation event in UK history. Knight took part in the festivities at Raynes Park Sports Ground in London, joining over 200 boys and girls in drills, matches, and meet‑and‑greets.
The day also featured educational games created by UNICEF under its "Rights in Play" programme, which used cricket activities to teach children about their rights. ICC chairman Jay Shah praised the initiative, saying it was "fantastic to see the excitement building across the UK ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Schools Cricket Day has brought thousands of children into the game, many of whom may be taking their very first steps in cricket today." He also noted the tournament’s expansion from ten to twelve teams, underscoring the ICC’s commitment to growing the women’s game globally and providing more opportunities for players and fans alike.
"We look forward to welcoming these young participants and their families to the stadiums this summer, where they can watch their heroes and be inspired to dream bigger," Shah added. ECB strategic growth lead Gemma Barton echoed the sentiment, stating that events like Schools Cricket Day demonstrate how the Women’s T20 World Cup is shaping the future of cricket. "Every girl and boy inspired to pick up a bat and ball today can see how inclusive, welcoming and fun cricket is. It’s not just about the summer ahead; it’s about what comes next – more girls playing, more teams growing, and more people feeling like they belong in the game," she said.
Financially, the ICC announced a 10 percent increase in the total prize fund for the 2026 tournament, which will be held across England and Wales. The champions will receive $2.34 million (£1.74 million), while the runners‑up will take home $1.17 million (£871,000). All twelve participating teams are guaranteed a minimum payout of $247,500 (£184,245), more than double the amount assured to each side in 2024.
Although the top‑two prize amounts remain unchanged from the previous edition, the overall prize pool has risen significantly. In 2024, when New Zealand claimed their first T20 World Cup, the total pot was $7.958 million (£5.926 million). With the expansion to twelve teams, the 2026 prize pool has grown to $8.765 million (£6.528 million).
Tournament director Beth Barrett‑Wild described the upcoming event as a potential "landmark moment for the game – on course to become the most attended women’s cricket event in history, with record‑breaking ticket demand and the largest‑ever prize pot for a global women’s T20 competition." Prize distribution details are as follows: - Winners: $2,340,000 (£1,742,238) - Runners‑up: $1,170,000 (£871,119) - Losing semi‑finalists: $675,000 (£502,569) - Group‑match win: $31,154 (£23,196) - Guaranteed minimum for each of the 12 teams: $247,500 (£184,275) Knight concluded by reaffirming her belief that the home World Cup can act as a catalyst for lasting change. "If we do our job right and achieve success this summer, we can leave a real legacy for women’s cricket in England.
It’s about creating opportunities, inspiring the next generation, and ensuring the sport continues to grow for years to come."