The 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup kicks off on June 12 with a live West End spectacle at Edgbaston. Cast members Emma Kingston and Zizi Strallen will appear as Elphaba and Glinda, performing iconic numbers from Wicked to celebrate the musical’s 20th anniversary. The performance precedes England’s opening match against Sri Lanka, linking elite sport with theatrical flair for a global audience.

Tournament director Beth Barrett‑Wild called the blend “unmissable”, saying the show will set an “epic night of spectacle, emotion and atmosphere”. ICC officials view the event as part of a broader push to position the Women’s T20 World Cup among the world’s biggest live‑event experiences. So far, more than 150,000 tickets have sold, a record for the competition and underscores the growing marketability of women's cricket.

The opening ceremony will stream free on Sky Mix, YouTube and the Sky Sports app, as well as on Sky One and channels, widening access for fans. By pairing a blockbuster musical with cricket’s premier women’s tournament, the ICC hopes to attract new audiences and cement the event’s commercial appeal and demonstrates how sport can collaborate with the arts to boost viewership and sponsorship opportunities.