Heather Knight has spoken to Sky Sports about England’s clear ambition for the upcoming home Women’s T20 World Cup, which kicks off in June. The goal, she says, is to "create a real 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 tournament since 2009, the year they lifted the title on home soil. The English women’s side also delivered a historic home triumph in the 50‑over World Cup in 2017, a campaign that Knight captained.
Reflecting on the evolution of women’s sport, the 35‑year‑old captain notes that the landscape has shifted dramatically in the intervening years. The Lionesses captured back‑to‑back European Championships in 2022 and 2025, the latter in front of a sold‑out Wembley, while the Red Roses secured the Rugby World Cup at a packed Twickenham last September.
"The focus now is women’s cricket at the World Cup, so it’s really exciting – it’s not far away and it’s a chance for us to do something special as a team," Knight told Sky Sports. "I would say it’s once in a career, but this could be my second home tournament, hopefully everything goes well. It’s just incredibly special playing at home – friends and family can attend, we know the grounds and conditions, and that home support is crucial." She recalled the 2017 triumph, describing the surge of crowds and the final at Lord’s as "super special". Knight believes that a successful campaign in the summer could leave a lasting imprint on the sport in England.
"If we do our job right and achieve success this summer, we can leave a real legacy for women’s cricket in this country," she said. Beyond the on‑field action, Knight highlighted how the growth of the women’s game has been underpinned by structural changes. "It took a little time for that success to translate into real change, and the landscape is very different now. In women’s cricket there’s a professional domestic structure, more visibility and it’s becoming normal to be a female cricketer," she explained.
"If we succeed, the pathways are there to make the most of it and create a huge moment. We’ve watched the Lionesses and Red Roses, I know many of those players, and we want to do something similar – inspire kids and make being a girl in cricket feel normal and exciting." The England side has struggled for consistency in recent weeks, but Knight stressed the team’s determination to enter the home World Cup with enthusiasm and a willingness to embrace the pressure. "The mood is 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 towards the T20 World Cup," she said. "It will be fun to regroup, clarify our game plan and each player’s role.
Embracing the pressure of a home tournament will be vital – we’ll have many conversations about how to manage it and attack the competition." As the tournament approaches, the excitement is already evident across the country. With 50 days to go, Schools Cricket Day saw over 236,000 children from more than 1,350 schools pick up a bat and ball on a single day – the largest participation event in UK cricket history. Knight took part in the festivities at Raynes Park Sports Ground in London, joining over 200 boys and girls for drills, matches and meet‑and‑greets, underscoring the importance of grassroots engagement. The day also featured educational games created by UNICEF’s "Rights in Play" programme, integrating child‑rights education with cricket activities.
ICC chairman Jay Shah praised the event, noting that it brings thousands of youngsters to the sport, many of whom may be taking their first steps in cricket. He added that expanding the tournament from ten to twelve teams demonstrates a commitment to growing the women’s game globally and providing more opportunities for players and fans. Gemma Barton, the ECB’s head of strategic growth, echoed this sentiment, saying that moments like Schools Cricket Day illustrate how the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is shaping the future of the game. She emphasized that every child who picks up a bat today sees how inclusive, welcoming and enjoyable cricket can be, and that the legacy extends beyond the summer to a future with more girls playing, more teams developing, and a broader sense of belonging.
Financially, the ICC announced a 10 percent increase in the total prize fund for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup compared with 2024. The champions will receive $2.34 million (£1.74 million) and the runners‑up $1.17 million (£871,000), matching the previous edition’s top prizes.
However, all twelve participating teams are 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 2024, the overall pot has risen from $7.958 million in 2024 to $8.765 million, reflecting the expansion to twelve teams.
Tournament director Beth Barrett‑Wild described the 2026 event as a landmark moment, poised to become the most attended women’s cricket tournament ever, with record ticket demand and the largest prize pool for a global women’s T20 competition. The prize distribution is 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); and a guaranteed $247,500 (£184,275) for each of the twelve teams. In summary, Knight and her teammates are eager to harness the home advantage, the growing public enthusiasm and the strengthened domestic framework to deliver a tournament that not only brings silverware but also cements a lasting legacy for women’s cricket across England and beyond.