Sky Sports has announced that every one of the twelve group‑stage matches featuring England, Scotland and Ireland, together with the semi‑finals and the championship decider of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, will be accessible at no cost through the Sky Sports mobile application. Fans of the three home nations will be able to stream their group fixtures without needing a paid subscription, simply by opening the app. In addition, the opening match for each side in the tournament – as well as the final showdown – will be carried on Sky Mix, a free‑to‑air channel, ensuring maximum exposure for the event. The tournament’s inaugural contest, pitting England against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on 12 June, will also be simulcast on Sky One, on Sky Sports’ official YouTube channel, and across the network’s linear television outlets.
This multi‑platform approach is designed to attract the broadest possible audience for a competition that will culminate with the final at Lord’s on Sunday, 5 July. To take advantage of the free streaming, viewers should download the most recent version of the Sky Sports App to their smartphone or tablet.
Links for iOS and Android devices are provided on Sky’s website, and the app is compatible with iOS 14 or later and Android 8 or later. New Zealand enter the tournament as defending champions, while England are eager to claim their first title since the inaugural edition they hosted in 2009.
Historically, England’s recent performances have been modest – they fell at the group stage in both 2010 and 2024 – adding extra intrigue to their quest for redemption this summer. As the exclusive broadcaster of the competition, Sky Sports and its streaming partner NOW will deliver live coverage of every ball, from the opening over at Edgbaston to the climactic finish at Lord’s. The commentary team will feature seasoned cricket voices such as former England captain Nasser Hussain, former England women’s cricketer Natasha Farrant, and veteran presenter Hannah Wilkes, who will provide analysis, player interviews and behind‑the‑scenes insight.
Sky Sports is emphasizing that viewers can stream the cricket without being tied to a long‑term contract. The company encourages fans to download the app, tune into the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast for deeper discussion, and even follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for real‑time updates. For the best viewing experience, Sky recommends using the Chrome browser, which offers an accessible video player. The Women’s T20 World Cup will kick off a remarkable summer of women’s cricket on Sky Sports.
In addition to the T20 tournament, the summer schedule includes a historic first women’s Test match at Lord’s – England versus India – slated to begin on 10 July, and the return of The Hundred later that month. Jonathan Licht, Sky’s chief sports officer for the UK and Ireland, explained the broadcaster’s ambition: "We see this summer as a potential turning point for women’s cricket.
By offering a large portion of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup free to everyone, we can draw new viewers, nurture a growing fan base and inspire the next generation of players. At Sky Sports we are not merely airing women’s sport; we are actively partnering with the ICC and ECB to amplify its impact." Sanjog Gupta, CEO of the International Cricket Council, echoed the sentiment, stating: "The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is a marquee event in global sport and a prime opportunity to recruit fans to women’s cricket.
Sky Sports’ decision to broaden access in the UK aligns perfectly with our strategy to make the game available across every screen and venue. Cricket is woven into the fabric of the UK’s heritage, and when moments like these are universally accessible, we deepen engagement, grow the next wave of supporters and secure women’s cricket’s rightful place in both national and international conversations." Tournament director Beth Barrett‑Wild added: "The 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will showcase world‑class talent, unforgettable performances and iconic moments across spectacular venues in England and Wales. We are thrilled that an even larger audience will experience the excitement live thanks to Sky Sports’ comprehensive coverage plan.
With marquee fixtures such as the Edgbaston opener on 12 June and the Lord’s final on 5 July available to everyone, the stage is set for a memorable World Cup where legends will be forged and new fans will fall in love with women’s cricket for life." The Sky Sports App is now available for download. Users should also review Sky’s Privacy Notice, which details how personal data is handled, and read the Terms & Conditions before using the service.
Below is the full schedule of matches, with bolded fixtures indicating those that can be streamed for free via the app. All times are listed in UK and Ireland local time.
Friday 12 June: England vs Sri Lanka – Edgbaston 6:30 pm Saturday 13 June: Scotland vs Ireland – Old Trafford 10:30 am Saturday 13 June: Australia vs South Africa – Old Trafford 2:30 pm Saturday 13 June: West Indies vs New Zealand – Hampshire Bow 6:30 pm Sunday 14 June: Bangladesh vs Netherlands – Edgbaston 10:30 am Sunday 14 June: India vs Pakistan – Edgbaston 2:30 pm Tuesday 16 June: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka – Hampshire Bow 2:30 pm Tuesday 16 June: England vs Ireland – Hampshire Bow 6:30 pm Wednesday 17 June: Australia vs Bangladesh – Headingley 10:30 am Wednesday 17 June: India vs Netherlands – Headingley 2:30 pm Wednesday 17 June: South Africa vs Pakistan – Edgbaston 6:30 pm Thursday 18 June: West Indies vs Scotland – Headingley 6:30 pm Friday 19 June: New Zealand vs Ireland – Hampshire Bow 6:30 pm Saturday 20 June: Australia vs Netherlands – Hampshire Bow 10:30 am Saturday 20 June: Pakistan vs Bangladesh – Hampshire Bow 2:30 pm Saturday 20 June: England vs Scotland – Headingley 6:30 pm Sunday 21 June: West Indies vs Sri Lanka – Bristol County Ground 10:30 am Sunday 21 June: South Africa vs India – Old Trafford 2:30 pm Tuesday 23 June: New Zealand vs Scotland – Bristol County Ground 10:30 am Tuesday 23 June: Sri Lanka vs Ireland – Bristol County Ground 2:30 pm Tuesday 23 June: Australia vs Pakistan – Headingley 6:30 pm Wednesday 24 June: England vs West Indies – Lord’s 6:30 pm Thursday 25 June: India vs Bangladesh – Old Trafford 2:30 pm Thursday 25 June: South Africa vs Netherlands – Bristol County Ground 6:30 pm Friday 26 June: Sri Lanka vs Scotland – Old Trafford 6:30 pm Saturday 27 June: Pakistan vs Netherlands – Bristol County Ground 10:30 am Saturday 27 June: West Indies vs Ireland – Bristol County Ground 2:30 pm Saturday 27 June: England vs New Zealand – The Oval 6:30 pm Sunday 28 June: South Africa vs Bangladesh – Lord’s 10:30 am Sunday 28 June: Australia vs India – Lord’s 2:30 pm Tuesday 30 June: Semi‑Final 1 – The Oval 2:30 pm (teams TBC) Thursday 2 July: Semi‑Final 2 – The Oval 6:30 pm (teams TBC) Sunday 5 July: Final – Lord’s 2:30 pm (teams TBC) All matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and the free‑streaming options listed above allow anyone with a compatible device to watch without a subscription. This inclusive approach aims to grow the sport’s fan base, give women cricketers the platform they deserve, and deliver a summer of unforgettable cricket for viewers across the UK and beyond.