Heather Knight recently sat down with Sky Sports to discuss England's ambitions as the nation prepares to host the Women's T20 World Cup in June. The core aim, she explained, is to "create a real legacy for women's cricket in this country," a goal that mirrors 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 the 2009 edition, which the England side won, and it follows the historic home triumph in the 50‑over Cricket World Cup in 2017 – a campaign that Knight captained to glory. At 35, Knight observes that the environment for women's sport has transformed dramatically over the past decade.
The Lionesses secured back‑to‑back European Championships in 2022 and 2025, the latter played in front of a sold‑out Wembley Stadium, while the Red Roses lifted the Rugby World Cup on a packed Twickenham pitch last September. "The focus now is women's cricket at the World Cup, so it's really exciting," Knight told Sky Sports. "It's a once‑in‑a‑career moment, and for me it could be my second home tournament if everything goes well.
Playing at home means friends and family can attend, we know the grounds and conditions, and that home support is crucial." Knight recalled the atmosphere in 2017 when crowds swelled for the final at Lord's, describing it as "super special". She believes this upcoming tournament offers a chance to make a lasting impact on the sport within England. "If we do our job right and succeed this summer, we can leave a genuine legacy for women's cricket here," she said. The legacy she envisions includes greater visibility for the women's game, more professional domestic structures, and a pipeline that encourages girls to view cricket as a normal and attractive pursuit.
The England women's side has struggled with form in recent months, but Knight stressed that the team is eager to regroup and regain confidence. "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 toward the T20 World Cup," she said. The captain highlighted the importance of embracing the pressure of a home tournament, noting that the squad will have extensive discussions about handling expectations and attacking the competition with intent. Beyond the on‑field preparations, the lead‑up to the World Cup has seen a massive push to engage young people.
With just 50 days left until the tournament, Schools Cricket Day attracted over 236,000 children from more than 1,350 schools across the UK, marking the largest single‑day cricket participation event in the country's 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. The day also featured educational games created by UNICEF's "Rights in Play" programme, which used cricket activities to teach children about their rights.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah praised the enthusiasm, saying the event "shows the excitement building across the UK ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026" and that many participants may be taking their first steps in cricket. He highlighted the tournament's expansion from ten to twelve teams as evidence of the ICC's commitment to growing the women's game globally and providing more opportunities for players and fans.
Gemma Barton, ECB's head of strategic growth, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that moments like Schools Cricket Day illustrate how the World Cup is shaping the future of cricket. "Every child who picks up a bat today sees how inclusive, welcoming and fun the sport can be. It's not just about the summer ahead; it's about the longer‑term growth of women's cricket, more teams, and a sense of belonging for everyone," she said.
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, but every participating team is now guaranteed a minimum of $247,500 (£184,245), more than double the amount promised in 2024. While the top‑two prize money remains unchanged from 2024, the overall pot has risen significantly due to the expansion to twelve teams, growing from $7.958 million in 2024 to $8.765 million for 2026. Tournament director Beth Barrett‑Wild described the event as a "landmark moment for the game," predicting it will become the most attended women's cricket event ever, with record ticket demand and the largest prize pool in a global women's T20 competition.
The prize breakdown 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, Heather Knight sees the home World Cup as a pivotal opportunity to cement a legacy for women's cricket in England.
By leveraging the momentum from recent successes in other women's sports, expanding grassroots participation, and ensuring robust financial incentives, the tournament aims to inspire a new generation of cricketers and cement the sport's place in the national sporting landscape.