Heather Knight recently sat down with Sky Sports to discuss England's aspirations for the upcoming home Women's T20 World Cup, which kicks off in June. She emphasized that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is determined to "create a real legacy for women's cricket in this country," drawing inspiration from the recent triumphs 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 that England won on home soil. It also follows the women's side's historic success in the 50‑over Cricket World Cup in 2017, a tournament that Knight captained to victory.
Reflecting on those achievements, the 35‑year‑old captain noted that the landscape of women's sport has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade. She pointed out that the Lionesses clinched back‑to‑back UEFA Women’s Euro titles in 2022 and 2025, the latter in front of a sold‑out Wembley Stadium, while the Red Roses captured 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 – not too far away and a chance for us to do something really special as a side," Knight told Sky Sports. Knight described the upcoming tournament as a once‑in‑a‑career opportunity, adding that it would be her second major home event if everything goes to plan.
"Playing at home is special – friends and family can attend, you're familiar with the grounds and conditions, and you have that crucial home support," she said. She recalled the atmosphere of the 2017 World Cup final at Lord's, where the crowd grew organically and the occasion felt "super special." According to Knight, the stakes go beyond medals.
"It's a chance to have a real impact on the sport in your country and leave a legacy. If we do our job right and succeed this summer, we can embed a lasting legacy for women's cricket in England," she explained. Beyond the on‑field ambitions, Knight highlighted structural changes that have made women's cricket more professional and visible.
"It took a little time for that success to translate into change, and now the landscape is very different. The domestic game is professional, it's a lot more normal to be a women's cricketer, and there's far greater visibility," she said.
She added that the success of the Lionesses and Red Roses has provided a blueprint for cricket: "We want to do something similar and inspire kids so that being a girl in cricket feels normal and great." The England women's side has struggled with form in recent months, but Knight stressed that the team is eager to regroup and embrace the pressure of a home World Cup. "The mood's really good. We haven't played much cricket this winter since the 50‑over World Cup, so we're itching to get out together as an England side, feel international cricket again, and build towards the T20 World Cup," she said. She anticipates intensive team meetings in the lead‑up to the tournament, focusing on roles, strategies, and how to harness the added pressure of playing in front of a home crowd.
Off the pitch, the build‑up to the tournament has already sparked a wave of participation across the country. With just 50 days left until the opening match, 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 at Raynes Park Sports Ground in London, taking part in drills, matches, and meet‑and‑greets with aspiring players.
The day also featured educational games created by UNICEF, the ICC's global charity partner, under its "Rights in Play" programme. These activities used cricket to teach children about their rights, reinforcing the sport's role as a vehicle for social development. ICC Chairman Jay Shah praised the enthusiasm surrounding the event, noting that expanding the tournament from ten to twelve teams demonstrates a commitment to growing the women's game globally.
He said, "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 this sentiment, emphasizing that each child who picks up a bat today sees cricket as inclusive, welcoming, and fun. "It's not just about the summer ahead, it's about what comes next: more girls playing, more teams growing, and more people feeling like they belong in the game," she said. Financially, the ICC announced a 10 percent increase in the total prize fund for the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, bringing the pot to $8.765 million (£6.528 million) for the first time.
While the winners' and runners‑up prizes remain at $2.34 million (£1.74 million) and $1.17 million (£871,000) respectively – the same as the 2024 edition – every participating team is now guaranteed a minimum of $247,500 (£184,245), more than double the amount assured in 2024. Semi‑finalists will receive $675,000 (£502,569), and each group‑stage win carries a $31,154 (£23,196) reward. The prize‑money boost reflects the tournament's growth: the 2024 edition, won by New Zealand, featured a $7.958 million (£5.926 million) pot for ten teams.
Expanding to twelve teams has allowed the ICC to increase the overall fund and ensure all nations receive meaningful financial support. Tournament director Beth Barrett‑Wild described the 2026 event as a "landmark moment" for women's cricket, forecasting record‑breaking attendance and the largest prize pool ever for a global women's T20 competition. The combination of heightened media coverage, expanded participation pathways, and substantial financial incentives aims to cement the tournament's place as a turning point for the sport.
In summary, Heather Knight and the England women's cricket team are poised to leverage the home advantage, recent successes in women's sport, and a dramatically improved structural environment to deliver a memorable World Cup and, hopefully, a lasting legacy for future generations of female cricketers.