The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 opened with record figures for attendance, viewership and digital engagement over its first three days. A total of 44,844 spectators watched matches in Birmingham, Manchester and Southampton, exceeding the previous mark of 34,680 set at last year’s Women’s Cricket World Cup. The India versus Pakistan match at Edgbaston drew a sell-out crowd of 18,814, the largest for any group-stage fixture in the tournament’s history. Broadcast numbers were also strong. In India, coverage reached 215 million viewers with 1.3 billion minutes watched, while the India-Pakistan game alone accounted for 134 million viewers. In the United Kingdom, the England versus Sri Lanka opener averaged 393,000 viewers on Sky Sports. Digital platforms showed major growth, with ICC social media posts generating 753 million video views, up nearly 150 percent from 2024. ICC.tv reported a 75 percent rise in users and watch time. ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta credited detailed planning and partnerships for the successful launch and noted rising interest in women’s cricket.
