Heather Knight has explained to 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," mirroring the achievements of the Lionesses in football and the Red Roses in rugby. The 2026 tournament marks the first time England has hosted the women’s T20 World Cup since the 2009 edition, a competition the English side won. It also follows the historic triumph in the 50‑over Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2017, a victory that Knight captained herself. Those two milestones have helped raise the profile of the women’s game, but Knight says the environment for women’s sport has transformed dramatically since those early successes.
She points to the Lionesses’ back‑to‑back European Championship wins in 2022 and 2025 – the latter played in front of a sold‑out Wembley – and the Red Roses’ Rugby World Cup victory at a packed Twickenham in September as evidence that female athletes are now regularly drawing massive crowds and media attention. "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.
Knight describes the prospect of playing a second home tournament as a once‑in‑a‑career moment. "It’s probably going to be my second home World Cup, hopefully everything goes well, and it’s just incredibly special to play on familiar grounds with friends and family in the stands.
The conditions are known, the support is there, and that home advantage can be decisive." She reflects on the 2017 World Cup final at Lord’s, recalling how the crowd grew throughout the tournament and how the atmosphere made the victory unforgettable. "It was huge for us – the way the crowds built and the final at Lord’s, it’s super special," she said. "Now we have a chance to make a lasting impact on the sport in England and leave a legacy. If we perform well this summer, we can cement a real legacy for women’s cricket in this country." Knight also notes that the success of other women’s teams has gradually reshaped the structural landscape of cricket.
"It took a little time for that success to translate into tangible changes, but the picture is very different now. The domestic game is professional, there’s a clear pathway beneath the national side, and being a women’s cricketer feels a lot more normal.
Visibility has increased dramatically." She adds that the new structures should allow the England team to capitalise on any success they achieve. "If we have a good tournament, the foundations are there to turn that into a huge moment for the sport.
We’ve watched the Lionesses and Red Roses closely, we know many of the players personally, and we want to replicate that impact. Our aim is to inspire girls to see cricket as a normal, exciting option and to excel at it." Despite a recent dip in form, Knight insists the squad is eager to regain momentum.
"The mood 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 toward the T20 World Cup." She emphasises the importance of team cohesion and clear roles ahead of the tournament. "It’ll be fun to regroup, clarify how we want to play, and define each player’s role. Embracing the pressure of a home World Cup will be key – we’ll have many conversations about handling that pressure and attacking the competition from day one." The build‑up to the tournament has already seen a massive grassroots push.
With just 50 days left, more than 236,000 children from over 1,350 schools participated in Schools Cricket Day, the biggest single‑day cricket participation event in UK history. Knight joined over 200 youngsters at a lively cricket festival at Raynes Park Sports Ground in London, taking part in drills, matches and meet‑and‑greets with aspiring players. The event also featured educational games created by UNICEF’s "Rights in Play" programme, aimed at teaching children about their rights through sport. ICC chairman Jay Shah praised the initiative, saying it highlights the excitement building across the UK ahead of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup and may inspire many of those children to take up cricket for the first time.
Gemma Barton, head of strategic growth at the ECB, echoed the sentiment, noting that the tournament is shaping the future of the game. "Every girl and boy who picks up a bat today sees how inclusive, welcoming and fun cricket can be.
It’s not just about this summer – it’s about the next generation of players, teams, and fans feeling they belong." Financially, the ICC announced a 10 percent increase in the total prize fund for the 2026 edition, with the champions set to receive $2.34 million (£1.74 million) and the runners‑up $1.17 million (£871,000). All twelve participating teams are guaranteed a minimum of $247,500 (£184,000), more than double the amount assured in 2024.
While the top‑two prize money remains unchanged from the previous tournament, the overall pot has risen from $7.96 million in 2024 to $8.765 million in 2026, reflecting the expansion to twelve teams. Tournament director Beth Barrett‑Wild described the event as a potential landmark moment for women’s cricket, predicting it could become the most attended women’s cricket event ever, with record ticket demand and the largest prize pool for a global women’s T20 competition.
The prize breakdown includes $2.34 million for the winners, $1.17 million for the runners‑up, $675,000 for each losing semi‑finalist, $31,154 for each group‑stage win, and a guaranteed $247,500 for every team. In summary, Knight sees the home World Cup as a unique opportunity to cement a lasting legacy for women’s cricket in England, to inspire the next generation, and to showcase how far the sport has come since the days of modest crowds and limited professional pathways.
With the support of fans, a solid domestic structure, and a historic prize fund, the stage is set for England to make history once again.