Heather Knight has shared with Sky Sports that England’s goal for the upcoming home Women’s T20 World Cup, which kicks off in June, is to "create a real legacy for women's cricket in this country," drawing inspiration from the achievements of the Lionesses in football and the Red Roses in rugby. This will be the first time England has hosted the tournament since the 2009 edition, a World Cup that England won.
The English women’s side also celebrated a historic home triumph in the 50‑over Cricket World Cup in 2017, a competition that Knight captained to victory. Now 35‑years‑old Knight observes that the environment for women’s sport has shifted dramatically since those landmark moments. The Lionesses have secured back‑to‑back UEFA European Championship titles in 2022 and 2025, the latter in front of a sold‑out Wembley Stadium. Meanwhile, the Red Roses captured the Rugby World Cup on a packed Twickenham pitch last September.
Those successes have raised the profile of women’s sport across the nation and set a new benchmark for cricket. "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," Knight told Sky Sports.
"I would say it’s a once‑in‑a‑career moment, but this will probably be my second home tournament, if everything goes well. Playing at home is unique – friends and family can attend, we know the grounds and conditions, and the home crowd support is vital." She reflected on the 2017 triumph, recalling how the crowd grew throughout the tournament and how the final at Lord’s felt "super special." Knight added that a successful 2026 World Cup could leave a lasting imprint on the sport: "If we do our job right and succeed this summer, we can create a genuine legacy for women’s cricket in England." Beyond the on‑field ambitions, Knight highlighted how the growth of the women’s game has been underpinned by structural changes. "It took a little time for the success to translate into tangible change, but the landscape is very different now. The domestic game is professional, there’s a clear pathway beneath the national side, and being a women’s cricketer is becoming far more normal and visible," she explained.
"We hope that, if we perform well, the existing structures will amplify that success and turn it into a huge moment for the sport." Knight also expressed admiration for the Lionesses and Red Roses, noting that she follows their journeys closely and knows many of the players personally. "We want to emulate what they have achieved and inspire the next generation. The aim is to make being a girl in cricket feel completely ordinary and, at the same time, incredibly exciting." The England women’s team has struggled with form in recent weeks, but Knight insisted that the squad is eager to regain momentum on home soil. "The mood in the camp is good.
We haven’t played much cricket this winter after 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 said. "It will be fun to regroup, clarify our game plan and each player’s role, and embrace the pressure of a home tournament. We’ll have many conversations about how to manage that pressure and attack the competition." The build‑up to the tournament is already generating excitement across the country.
With 50 days remaining, more than 236,000 children from over 1,350 schools took part in Schools Cricket Day, the largest single‑day cricket participation event in UK history. Knight joined over 200 boys and girls at a vibrant cricket festival held at Raynes Park Sports Ground in London, taking part in drills, matches, and meet‑and‑greets with aspiring youngsters. The day also featured specially designed resources and games created by the ICC’s global charity partner UNICEF through its "Rights in Play" programme. These activities used cricket as a vehicle to teach children about their rights, reinforcing the sport’s role in education and community development.
ICC chairman Jay Shah praised the initiative, saying, "It is fantastic to see the excitement building across the UK ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Schools Cricket Day, marking 50 days to go, has brought thousands of children into the game – many of whom are taking their first steps in cricket today.
Expanding the tournament from 10 to 12 teams shows our commitment to growing the women’s game globally and creating 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." Gemma Barton, the ECB’s head of strategic growth, echoed that sentiment: "Moments like this illustrate how the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is shaping the future of the sport. Every girl and boy who picks up a bat and ball today sees how inclusive, welcoming, and fun cricket can be. It’s not just about the summer ahead; it’s about what follows – more girls playing, more teams developing, and more people feeling they belong in the game." 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), while the runners‑up will take home $1.17 million (£871,000). Although the top‑two prize amounts remain unchanged from the previous edition, every participating nation is now guaranteed a minimum of $247,500 (£184,245), more than double the guarantee offered in 2024. The overall prize pool has risen to $8.765 million (£6.528 million) following the expansion to 12 teams, up from $7.958 million (£5.926 million) in 2024 when New Zealand won their first T20 World Cup. Tournament director Beth Barrett‑Wild described the 2026 edition as a "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 breakdown: - 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 that the combination of a supportive home crowd, improved domestic structures, and a clear legacy vision gives England a genuine chance to leave a lasting imprint on women’s cricket.
"If we succeed, we hope to inspire a generation of girls to see cricket as a viable, exciting pathway and to keep the momentum going long after the final ball is bowled."