Heather Knight recently sat down with Sky Sports to discuss England's ambitious plans for the upcoming home Women's T20 World Cup, which kicks off in June. The core aim, she explained, is to "create a genuine legacy for women's cricket in this country," mirroring the recent successes of the Lionesses in football and the Red Roses in rugby.
This will be the first time England has hosted the women's T20 World Cup since 2009, a tournament they won on home soil. It also follows the historic triumph in the 50‑over Cricket World Cup in 2017, a victory that Knight captained.
The 35‑year‑old captain reflected on how dramatically the environment for women's sport has evolved since those landmark moments. She noted that the Lionesses secured back‑to‑back European Championships in 2022 and 2025, the first of those finals taking place before a sold‑out Wembley Stadium. Likewise, the Red Roses lifted the Rugby World Cup in front of a packed Twickenham last September. "The focus now is women's cricket at the World Cup, so it's really exciting, not too far away and a chance for us to do something really special as a side," Knight told Sky Sports.
Knight described the upcoming tournament as a once‑in‑a‑career opportunity, perhaps her second home World Cup if everything goes according to plan. "Playing at home is incredibly special – friends and family can attend, you know the grounds and conditions, and you have that vital home support," she said. She recalled the 2017 World Cup, where the crowds swelled and the final at Lord's felt "super special," underscoring how such moments can shape the sport's future.
"If we perform well this summer we can leave a lasting legacy for women's cricket in England," Knight added. She emphasized that the recent growth in visibility and professionalism within the domestic game has created a stronger foundation. "It took a little time for that success to translate into structural change, but now the women's game has a professional domestic setup and far more media exposure," she explained. Knight hopes England can emulate the impact the Lionesses and Red Roses have had, inspiring a new generation of girls to view cricket as a normal and attractive pursuit.
"We want to make being a girl in cricket feel completely ordinary and also truly great," she said. Despite a recent dip in form, the England side is determined to enter the home tournament with enthusiasm and resolve. "The mood's really good.
We haven't played much cricket this winter since the 50‑over World Cup, so we're eager to get back together, feel international cricket again, and build toward the T20 World Cup," Knight remarked. She highlighted the importance of team cohesion, role clarity, and embracing the pressure of a home event.
"We'll have many conversations about handling the pressure and attacking the tournament from day one," she affirmed. The build‑up to the World Cup is already generating excitement across the country. With just 50 days left, Schools Cricket Day saw more than 236,000 children from over 1,350 schools pick up a bat and ball – the largest single‑day cricket participation event in UK history. Knight participated in the festivities at Raynes Park Sports Ground in London, joining over 200 youngsters in drills, matches, and meet‑and‑greets.
The day also featured educational games created by UNICEF as part of its "Rights in Play" programme, teaching children about child rights through cricket activities. ICC Chairman Jay Shah praised the event, noting that it could inspire many of those participants to take their first steps in cricket today. He also highlighted the tournament's expansion from ten to twelve teams, signalling a commitment to growing the women's game globally. ECB strategic growth lead Gemma Barton echoed the sentiment, stating that moments like Schools Cricket Day demonstrate how the Women's T20 World Cup is shaping cricket's future.
She emphasized that the event showcases cricket as inclusive, welcoming, and fun, and that the legacy extends beyond the summer to increased participation and a stronger sense of belonging for girls and boys alike. Financially, the ICC announced a 10 percent increase in the total prize fund for the 2026 tournament.
Winners will receive $2.34 million (£1.74 million) and runners‑up $1.17 million (£871,000), matching the previous edition. However, every participating team is now guaranteed a minimum of $247,500 (£184,245), more than double the amount assured in 2024. While the top‑two prize money remains unchanged from the last edition, the overall pot has risen significantly, reflecting the tournament's expansion to twelve teams and a total prize pool of $8.765 million (£6.528 million). Tournament director Beth Barrett‑Wild described the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup as a landmark event poised to become the most attended women's cricket competition ever, with record ticket demand and the largest prize pot in the sport's history.
The prize breakdown includes $2.34 million for the champions, $1.17 million for the runners‑up, $675,000 for losing semi‑finalists, $31,154 for each group‑stage win, and a guaranteed $247,500 for each of the twelve teams. In summary, Knight and her teammates are poised to capitalize on a supportive home environment, a growing domestic structure, and a historic increase in prize money to deliver a tournament that could redefine women's cricket in England and inspire future generations.