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 central goal, she explained, is to "create a real legacy for women's cricket in this country," a vision that mirrors the recent successes of the England women's football team, the Lionesses, and the rugby side, the Red Roses. This will be the first time England has hosted the women's T20 World Cup since the 2009 edition, a tournament that England won on home soil.
The country also celebrated a home triumph in the 50‑over Women's Cricket World Cup in 2017, a competition that Knight captained to victory. Those historic moments have set a high bar, but Knight believes the landscape of women's sport has shifted dramatically in the intervening years, offering fresh opportunities for growth. She pointed to the Lionesses' back‑to‑back European Championship titles in 2022 and 2025 – the latter played in front of a sold‑out Wembley Stadium – as evidence that women's sport is now drawing massive crowds and mainstream attention. Likewise, the Red Roses captured the Rugby World Cup at a packed Twickenham last September, underscoring the broader surge in popularity for women's team sports across the United Kingdom.
"The focus now is women's cricket at the World Cup, so it's really exciting. It's not too far away and it's a chance for us to do something truly special as a side," Knight said.
She described the upcoming tournament as a once‑in‑a‑career experience, noting that this will likely be her second home World Cup if everything goes to plan. "Playing at home is incredibly special – friends and family can attend, we know the grounds and conditions, and that home support is crucial," she added.
Knight recalled the electric atmosphere of the 2017 final at Lord's, when crowds swelled and the excitement built throughout the tournament. "It was huge for us – the way the crowds built and the final at Lord's, it's super special," she reflected.
She emphasized that a successful campaign this summer could leave a lasting imprint on the sport, saying, "If we do our job right and have success this summer we can leave a real legacy on the sport of women's cricket in this country." Beyond the on‑field action, Knight highlighted how the structural foundations of women's cricket have evolved. "It took a little bit of time for that success to see changes and I think the landscape is very different now – particularly in women's cricket – there's the structure beneath the game, the domestic game is professional. It's a lot more normal to be a women's cricketer, there's a lot more visibility," she explained. This professional domestic framework, she believes, will allow England to capitalize on any momentum generated by the World Cup and turn it into a sustainable growth engine.
She also expressed a desire to inspire the next generation, drawing parallels with the pathways created by the Lionesses and Red Roses. "We've seen what the Lionesses and Red Roses have done, I've followed those very closely and know some of the players. We want to do something similar and hopefully inspire kids to make a girl in cricket really normal and really great," Knight said.
The England women's side has faced a dip in form recently, but Knight stressed that the squad is eager to regroup and approach the home tournament with enthusiasm. "The mood's really good, we haven't had a huge amount of cricket this winter since that 50‑over World Cup so we're actually itching to get out together as an England side, get the feel of international cricket again and build towards that T20 World Cup," she said. She anticipates intensive team meetings leading up to the event, focusing on handling the pressure of playing at home and developing clear strategies for each player’s role.
In the lead‑up to the tournament, grassroots participation has surged. With just 50 days left, more than 236,000 children from over 1,350 schools took part in Schools Cricket Day, the biggest single‑day cricket participation event in UK history. Knight joined over 200 youngsters at a vibrant cricket festival at Raynes Park Sports Ground in London, taking part in drills, matches, and meet‑and‑greets.
The day also featured educational games created by UNICEF’s "Rights in Play" programme, aiming to teach child‑rights concepts through cricket activities. ICC Chairman Jay Shah praised the initiative, noting that the excitement building across the UK will likely bring many first‑time cricket fans into the sport. ECB strategic growth leader Gemma Barton echoed this sentiment, saying that events like Schools Cricket Day illustrate how the Women's T20 World Cup is shaping cricket's future. She highlighted the inclusive and fun nature of the game, emphasizing that the tournament's impact will extend far beyond the summer itself, fostering increased participation and a sense of belonging for new players.
Financially, the ICC has announced a 10 percent increase in the total prize fund for the 2026 tournament. Winners will receive $2.34 million (approximately £1.74 million), while runners‑up will earn $1.17 million (about £871,000). All twelve participating teams are guaranteed a minimum of $247,500 (£184,000), more than double the amount promised in 2024.
Although the top‑two prize money remains unchanged from the previous edition, the overall pot has risen from $7.958 million in 2024 to $8.765 million this year, reflecting the expansion from ten to twelve teams. Tournament director Beth Barrett‑Wild described the 2026 edition as a potential "landmark moment" for women's cricket, forecasting record‑breaking ticket demand and the largest prize pool ever for a global women's T20 competition. She expects the event to become the most attended women's cricket spectacle in history. In summary, Knight sees the home World Cup as a catalyst for lasting change: a chance to showcase elite performance, inspire young athletes, and solidify a professional, visible pathway for women in cricket.
With the nation’s enthusiasm already evident in schoolyard participation and increased media coverage, the stage is set for England to not only compete for the trophy but also to cement a legacy that will benefit future generations of female cricketers.