Schedule changes
Following a county-led review into fixture scheduling, which took place during the 2025 domestic season, it was agreed that the Vitality Blast men's competition would go down from 14 games per team to 12, with one home and away fixture removed. The format of the group stage has also changed, reverting to three geographical groups of six instead of the North/South split that has been in place since 2014.
This, in part, has helped facilitate a return to the knockout stages of the competition taking part immediately after the group stage finishes on 12 July. Four quarter-finals are scheduled for 15 July, with Finals Day on 18 July.
This change should allow for teams to maintain momentum they gained during the group stages, as well as meaning star overseas players should be available for the whole competition, rather than teams needing to find replacements later in the season due to other commitments. It will, however, pose a challenge to the sales and marketing teams of the eight quarter-finalists, who will have just three days to sell tickets for their knockout fixtures.
The women's competition follows the men's in reducing fixtures from 14 to 12 per team for the nine Tier 1 sides. In League 2, the nine sides will each play eight group-stage games, down from 12 in 2025. Both competitions will immediately be followed by a Finals Day at the Kia Oval and Sophia Gardens respectively.
Three never-seen-before fixtures
With the change to a three-group format in the men's competition, a new feature has been introduced for 2026 where teams play one home and one away match against two teams from outside of their division.
This has thrown up the tantalising prospect of three fixtures that have never taken place over the Blast's 23-year history, with the geographical nature of the groups often meaning teams in different parts of the country would only have the chance to meet in the knockout stages.
Next summer, Sussex Sharks will take on Leicestershire Foxes for the first time in competitive men's T20 cricket, as well as Worcestershire Rapids v Kent Spitfires and Yorkshire v Gloucestershire, giving away fans some brand new venues to follow their teams in their push to reach Finals Day.
Yorkshire begin life in Tier 1
Having competed in League 2 of the women's competition in the inaugural year, Yorkshire take their place in the top tier of the women's game from 2026 onwards.
With the promotion comes the introduction of some new players, including Australia all-rounder Jess Jonassen, who brings her immense international experience to Headingley for at least the next two seasons.
England international spinner Sarah Glenn also makes the move to Leeds, leaving The Blaze after two seasons, and experienced wicketkeeper-batter Lauren Winfield-Hill will return to the county full-time, having spent part of the 2025 season on loan at Tier 1 side Essex.
A bumper schedule of double-headers
A total of 61 double headers will be played next season with both the men’s and women’s competitions revamped following this year’s county-led review, that will see a greater focus on derby rivalries and more matches in fan-friendly days.
The 2026 competition kicks off with 16 double headers across the opening Bank Holiday Weekend at the end of May, including a replay of the men's competition final between Somerset and Hampshire Hawks on opening day on Friday 22 May.
More rivalries, more often!
The new structure in the men's competition means you're never far from a mouthwatering derby fixture between two great rivals. In fact, opening weekend sees the first massive London Derby of the season as Middlesex take on Surrey at Lord's on Sunday 24 May. Fans don't have to wait too long for the return leg, either, with Middlesex visiting the Kia Oval on Wednesday 3 June.
The Roses Derby between Lancashire and Yorkshire gets a new iteration this year, with the women's teams also facing off for the first time in the new format. Friday 10 July is a date to circle in the calendar as both Lancashire Lightning and Lancashire Thunder take on their Yorkshire counterparts in a fascinating double-header at Emirates Old Trafford.
El Clasicoast, T20's oldest rivalry between Hampshire Hawks and Sussex Sharks takes place on 2 June and 12 July, while the two East Midlands Derbies between Derbyshire Falcons and Notts Outlaws are staged just over a week apart on 29 May and 7 June.