Cricket coup for Leeds as city cements status as a big hitter on global sporting stage

Following on from hosting England men’s triumph against India in the first Test this week, Headingley stadium will once again be placed firmly on the worldwide cricket stage as it welcomes the landmark women’s tournament in 2026.

The iconic venue is scheduled to host five nail-biting showdowns as the likes of Australia, India, West Indies, Pakistan and England battle it out for the prestigious trophy, currently held by New Zealand.

The action initially kicks off on Friday June 12, 2026, marking the start of a whirlwind month of world-class cricket, with fixtures in Headingley set for:

• June 17 (Australia Women vs Qualifier at 10.30am and India Women vs Qualifier at 2.30pm);
• June 18 (West Indies Women vs Qualifier at 6.30pm);
• June 20 (England Women vs Qualifier at 6.30pm); and
• June 23 (Australia Women vs Pakistan Women at 6.30pm)

And from today (Wednesday June 25) for the next 12 days, people in Leeds and beyond will have the opportunity to gain exclusive, priority tickets via an online link.

The access window opened at 10am today and ends at midnight on July 8, to help the city’s fans beat the ballot and secure a seat to watch the action in Leeds and other venues across the country.

The announcement of Headingley as a host venue for the high-profile tournament further bolsters Leeds’s reputation as an all-rounder when it comes to global sporting events.

Recent prominent national and international events hosted by the city include the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series, the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, a number of fixtures for 2022’s Rugby League World Cup and the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019.

As well as raising Leeds’s profile as a sporting heavyweight, such occasions also provide a massive boost to the city’s and regional economy, as evidenced by 2014’s Tour de France Grand Depart bringing in more than £100m in addition to other long-term benefits including increased tourism and trade deals.

The council also works alongside individual organisers to ensure that large-scale events follow robust sustainability strategies that support the city’s net zero ambitions.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council's executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “Hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is great news for Leeds, enhancing our already-impressive track record of staging major events of all kinds.

“It’s a privilege to be among the many iconic venues up and down the country showcasing world-class cricket and propelling the women’s game into the mainstream – and hopefully inspiring new generations to get involved in the sport.

“With the opening today of the priority window to access tickets, now is the chance for fans across Leeds and beyond to snap up the opportunity to enjoy what promises to be thrilling days of cricketing action right here in city.”

Yorkshire CCC Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Patel said: “We are delighted to be hosting five fixtures in the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

“Headingley has an incredible track record of hosting entertaining matches, and I’m sure it’ll be no different next summer.

“The opportunity to host some of the world’s best cricketers is really exciting, and I’m sure the population of Leeds and the surrounding areas will come out in their numbers to support the teams.

“Alongside this, the potential legacy that a tournament like this can have on the game is transformative and we will be working hard with a range of partners to maximise its impact.”

Tournament director Beth Barrett-Wild said: “The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to transform a month of sporting excellence into a movement that will rewrite the narrative about women’s cricket.

“At iconic venues like Headingley, we’ll see incredible, world-class athletes battling it out in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, who with every ball bowled and run scored, will be contributing to lasting change.

“It’s our opportunity to give women’s cricket the stage it deserves, and to inspire fans across Leeds to get involved!”

To access tickets via the priority window, visit: https://tickets.womens.t20worldcup.com/list/partnerAdvantage?code=PQENvVsvPs.

ENDS

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Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 6007