Historic 2026 Cricket Summer: Lord's to Host Three England Tests and Landmark Women's Match

Lord's will host three England Tests in 2026, including a historic women's Test and men's matches against New Zealand and Pakistan.

A Landmark Summer for English Cricket

Lord's Cricket Ground, known as the 'Home of Cricket', is set to host an exciting lineup of matches in the summer of 2026. This season will be particularly special as it includes three England Tests, featuring both men's and women's cricket, making it a historic occasion for the sport.

Men's Cricket: A Packed Schedule

England's men will kick off their summer at Lord's on 4 June with the first of three Tests against New Zealand. This series will be followed by a thrilling five-match T20 series and three ODIs against India in July. The action continues with a three-Test series against Pakistan, starting on 19 August at Headingley. The summer will conclude with T20s and ODIs against Sri Lanka in September.

Women's Cricket: Breaking New Ground

The highlight of the women's cricket calendar will be the landmark Test match at Lord's, starting on 10 July. This will be England's first home women's Test since the 2023 Ashes and a significant step forward for women's cricket, following the recommendations of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report in 2023. The match will be a four-day affair, adding to the excitement.

Clashes and Adjustments

The 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, to be held in England, will coincide with the second and third men's Tests and the first two India T20s. To avoid scheduling conflicts, The Hundred will be moved forward by a week from its 2025 position.

Full Fixture List

England Women v New Zealand

  • 10 May: First ODI, Durham, 11:00
  • 13 May: Second ODI, Northampton, 13:00
  • 16 May: Third ODI, Cardiff, 11:00
  • 20 May: First T20, Derby, 18:30
  • 23 May: Second T20, Canterbury, 14:30
  • 25 May: Third T20, Hove, TBC

England Women v India

  • 28 May: First T20, Chelmsford, 18:30
  • 30 May: Second T20, Bristol, TBC
  • 2 June: Third T20, Taunton, 18:30
  • 10 July: One-off Test, Lord's 11:00

England Women v Ireland

  • 1 September: First ODI, Leicester, 13:00
  • 3 September: Second ODI, Derby 13:00
  • 6 September: Third ODI, Worcester, 11:00

England Men v New Zealand

  • 4 June: First Test, Lord's, 11:00
  • 17 June: Second Test, Kia Oval 11:00
  • 25 June: Third Test, Nottingham, 11:00

England Men v India

  • 1 July: First T20, Chester-le-Street, 18:30
  • 4 July: Second T20, Manchester, 14:30
  • 7 July: Third T20, Nottingham, 18:30
  • 9 July: Fourth T20, Bristol, 18:30
  • 11 July: Fifth T20, Southampton, 18:30
  • 14 July: First ODI, Birmingham, 13:00
  • 16 July: Second ODI, Cardiff, 13:00
  • 19 July: Third ODI, Lord's, 11:00

England Men v Pakistan

  • 19 August: First Test, Leeds, 11:00
  • 27 August: Second Test, Lord's, 11:00
  • 9 September: Third Test, Birmingham, 11:00

England Men v Sri Lanka

  • 15 September: First T20, Southampton, 18:30
  • 17 September: Second T20, Cardiff, 18:30
  • 19 September: Third T20, Manchester, TBC
  • 22 September: First ODI, Chester-le-Street, 12:30
  • 24 September: Second ODI, Leeds, 12:30
  • 27 September: Third ODI, Kia Oval, 10:30

Venue Highlights

  • Lord's will host key matches, including the historic women's Test and men's Tests against New Zealand and Pakistan.
  • The Oval will conclude the summer with the final white-ball match, breaking from its traditional Test finale.
  • Edgbaston will host the last Test of the summer starting on 9 September.

Looking Ahead

This packed summer of cricket promises to be a treat for fans, with a mix of traditional Test matches and the fast-paced excitement of T20s and ODIs. The inclusion of a landmark women's Test at Lord's underscores the growing prominence of women's cricket on the global stage.

For more updates and detailed coverage, stay tuned to BBC Sport and other cricket news outlets.

What to Read Next

Trent Rockets Advance to The Hundred Final After Rain Abandons Eliminator
Cricket

Trent Rockets Advance to The Hundred Final After Rain Abandons Eliminator

Trent Rockets secure a spot in The Hundred final after rain forces the Eliminator against Northern Superchargers to be abandoned.

Lyndon James' Maiden Double Century Propels Nottinghamshire to Dominance Against Hampshire
Cricket

Lyndon James' Maiden Double Century Propels Nottinghamshire to Dominance Against Hampshire

Lyndon James' unbeaten 203 leads Nottinghamshire to a commanding position against Hampshire in the County Championship Division One.

Yorkshire Secures Star All-Rounder Jess Jonassen for 2026 Tier One Season
Cricket

Yorkshire Secures Star All-Rounder Jess Jonassen for 2026 Tier One Season

Yorkshire women's cricket team signs Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen for their 2026 Tier One season, adding experience and skill to the squad.

South Africa's Triumph: Overcoming the 'Chokers' Legacy in Cricket
Cricket

South Africa's Triumph: Overcoming the 'Chokers' Legacy in Cricket

Discover how South Africa's cricket team overcame their 'chokers' reputation to win the World Test Championship, marking a historic moment in their sporting journey.

Ravi Bopara's Spectacular 45-Ball Century Propels Northants to T20 Blast Semi-Finals
Cricket

Ravi Bopara's Spectacular 45-Ball Century Propels Northants to T20 Blast Semi-Finals

Ravi Bopara's stunning 45-ball century led Northamptonshire to a thrilling victory over Surrey in the T20 Blast quarter-finals.

India's Time-Wasting Controversy: A Dramatic Finale at Lord's Test
Cricket

India's Time-Wasting Controversy: A Dramatic Finale at Lord's Test

Explore the dramatic final day of the Lord's Test between India and England, highlighting the time-wasting controversy and intense on-field exchanges.

Ben Stokes Leads England to Thrilling Victory Over India in Tense Lord's Test
Cricket

Ben Stokes Leads England to Thrilling Victory Over India in Tense Lord's Test

Ben Stokes' heroic performance guided England to a nail-biting 22-run victory over India in the third Test at Lord's, showcasing his all-round brilliance.

Liam Dawson's Heroics Propel Hampshire to One-Day Cup Final Victory Over Yorkshire
Cricket

Liam Dawson's Heroics Propel Hampshire to One-Day Cup Final Victory Over Yorkshire

Liam Dawson's stunning century leads Hampshire to a thrilling 18-run victory over Yorkshire in the One-Day Cup semi-final, securing their place in the final.

Ravi Bopara's Brave Knock Propels Northants to T20 Blast Finals Day
Cricket

Ravi Bopara's Brave Knock Propels Northants to T20 Blast Finals Day

Ravi Bopara's unbeaten 105 off 46 balls led Northants Steelbacks to a thrilling victory over Surrey, securing their spot in the T20 Blast Finals Day.

Yuzvendra Chahal's Absence Impacts Northamptonshire's County Championship Campaign
Cricket

Yuzvendra Chahal's Absence Impacts Northamptonshire's County Championship Campaign

Yuzvendra Chahal's departure leaves Northamptonshire struggling in the County Championship, as they face crucial matches without their star leg-spinner.

Oval Invincibles: The Dynasty of The Hundred and the Looming End of an Era
Cricket

Oval Invincibles: The Dynasty of The Hundred and the Looming End of an Era

Explore how Oval Invincibles achieved a historic three-peat in The Hundred and why their era might be ending amidst major cricket reforms.

Rebuilding England Cricket: Time Needed After Ashes 'Scarring' - Kate Cross
Cricket

Rebuilding England Cricket: Time Needed After Ashes 'Scarring' - Kate Cross

Kate Cross emphasizes the need for time as England rebuilds after the Ashes 'scarring'. Insights into the team's transition and future prospects.

Ross Taylor's Historic Comeback: Representing Samoa in T20 World Cup Qualifiers
Cricket

Ross Taylor's Historic Comeback: Representing Samoa in T20 World Cup Qualifiers

Cricket legend Ross Taylor returns to international play, representing Samoa in the T20 World Cup qualifiers, blending his heritage with his love for the game.

Gloucestershire Dominates One-Day Cup with Third Consecutive Victory
Cricket

Gloucestershire Dominates One-Day Cup with Third Consecutive Victory

Gloucestershire secures third win in One-Day Cup, defeating Leicestershire Foxes in a thrilling match. Discover key highlights and performances.

Revolutionizing Cricket: The 2026 T20 Blast Overhaul and Its Impact on Domestic Cricket
Cricket

Revolutionizing Cricket: The 2026 T20 Blast Overhaul and Its Impact on Domestic Cricket

Explore the significant changes coming to the T20 Blast in 2026, focusing on a streamlined schedule and enhanced player welfare in domestic cricket.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.