FIFA Women’s World Cup T20 2026 opening ceremony: Who’s performing, when and where to watch

With the FIFA World Cup already underway, attention now turns to cricket with another major global spectacle as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 also kicks off. The tournament will officially begin with a spectacular opening ceremony on June 12 at Edgbaston, Birmingham, which promises a vibrant mix of sport, music and culture before the first ball is even bowled.

The ceremony was designed to be more than just a formal curtain raiser, with organizers aiming to create a full entertainment experience for fans in the stadium and watching from around the world.

The main highlight of the event will be a live performance by the full West End cast of the musical Wicked, led by stage actors Emma Kingston and Zizi Strallen. Their participation is expected to bring a theatrical and musical touch to the proceedings, bridging the worlds of stage performance and international sports.

This special collaboration also has symbolic significance as we mark the 20th anniversary of Wicked, one of the most successful and widely acclaimed West End productions of the modern era. The participation of the entire cast reflects the scale of the occasion, with the opening ceremony positioned as a celebration of both cricket and cultural entertainment.

According to organizers, the response from fans has been overwhelming, with more than 150,000 tickets already sold during the tournament. The opening ceremony will take place just before the first match of the competition, which sees hosts England take on Sri Lanka under the lights at Edgbaston.

A total of 12 teams will participate in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, making for a highly competitive edition of the tournament. Among the parties involved are debutants the Netherlandswhich will be appearing in the competition for the first time, along with the return of Ireland, adding further depth and variety to the global line-up. The tournament will run from June 12 to July 5 and will feature matches at various venues where teams will battle for the prestigious title.

WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH THE OPENING CEREMONY?

The opening ceremony of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held at Edgbaston, Birmingham, ahead of the opening match between England and Sri Lanka. The event is scheduled for 23:00 IST (20:30 BST), setting the stage for the tournament to begin in front of a packed stadium and a global television audience.

WHERE TO WATCH THE OPENING CEREMONY?

In India, fans will be able to watch the opening ceremony and the entire tournament telecast live on JioHotstar, while the TV broadcast rights will be held by Star Sports Network. For international audiences, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will also provide digital coverage through its official platforms, including ICC.tv, which will stream selected live matches and other tournament content.

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Published on:

12 Jun 2026 12:48 IST