Across the 2026 season the Surrey Cricket Foundation will be hosting a number of initiatives alongside the excitement of the World Cup. Please read on to discover not only how you can watch the action at The Kia Oval, but also how your club can get involved.
What's on at The Kia Oval
The Oval is set to be one of the standout venues of the 2026 World Cup, hosting three unmissable fixtures that promise world‑class cricket and unforgettable atmospheres. The action begins with a blockbuster group‑stage clash between England and New Zealand, a modern rivalry that has produced some of the sport’s most dramatic moments. Fans can expect a full house, electric energy, and two sides packed with global stars going head‑to‑head.
But the excitement doesn’t end there. The Oval will then welcome both semi-finals, turning the ground into the focal point of the tournament’s knockout drama. With a place in the World Cup final on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Experience the world’s best cricketers battling under pressure, showcasing elite skill, strategy, and passion in front of a roaring crowd.
How your club can catch the spirit
We are running a range of activities to capitalise on this opportunity to get more women and girls playing cricket who haven’t previously. We are also looking for clubs to get involved with a few key initiatives to expand your player base and recruit new people.
Watch Parties
Partnering with the ECB, we are asking clubs to host watch parties alongside world cup games this summer. Open your doors to the local community and watch world-class cricket with your friends, families and local residents. Why not fire up the barbecue and share food and drinks with new friends while you get inspired by the incredible talent on display. Cricket clubs are the centre of so many communities, and this is a fantastic way to celebrate that. You will be able to register directly with the ECB and receive exclusive resources to support your event.
Taster sessions
If you are looking to start a new girls’ section in 2026, we can support you to run a girls’ taster session in connection with the World Cup. We will provide resources for you to use to make the activities world cup-themed, and can send a Surrey community coach along to support the event. We might also have some world cup goodies to give out to your new recruits…
Club Open Day
On Sunday 12th July, one week after the World Cup Final, we will be looking to clubs to open their doors for a World Cup Open Day across the whole Surrey network. Loads of women and girls will be inspired to start playing by watching the tournament on TV, and we want as many of them as possible to join their local club. Hold an open day where new members can watch your women’s team playing, try out some cricket activities see for themselves how fun and inclusive your club is. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to welcome new members!
World Cup Champion Clubs
We want to recognise those clubs who are already leading the way in terms of women and girls cricket, so we are launching our World Cup Champion Club scheme. In order to be recognised as a World Cup Champion Club, you must hold a World Cup watch party, organise a W&G open day for 12th July, and make the ongoing commitment that any woman or girl who turns up to your club will be welcomed and included. For those clubs who are earlier on in their W&G journey, you should commit to starting a girls-only team for any new members if you don’t already have one. Applications will open next month – make sure your club gets recognised for the good work you’re doing!
W&G Festivals
Our women and girls’ softball festivals this summer will be world cup-themed, with each team being assigned a country to compete for the mini world cup. We will be hosting women’s softball festivals throughout the summer and are re-launching girls softball festivals, to create additional playing opportunities for new teams. These will take place during the summer holidays.
Please note – our festivals are aimed at new teams and new players, so we may have to prioritise which teams take part if competitions are over-subscribed. Priority will be given to any club not already playing league cricket, and those who have formed their girls’ team within the last year.
Opportunities to Get Involved on Gamedays
The ECB will be recruiting World Cup volunteers to help with the organisation of matchdays. We will also be rewarding the most deserving volunteers with opportunities to be flagbearers at the games at the Oval, and we have a number of free community tickets to be given out as prizes.
Resources for Clubs
Use the World Cup to inspire your players by putting a World Cup spin on your training session one week. We will have a range of resources that you can use to run world cup-inspired activities within your weekly training – these will be shared ahead of the season, so keep your eyes out!
For more information on how to get involved with any of these initiatives at your club, reach out to epatterson@surreycricket.com
