West End musical cast to headline opening ceremony as England face Sri Lanka at Edgbaston
Stars from the hit musical Wicked will headline the opening ceremony of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Birmingham, organisers announced, marking a unique collaboration between global cricket and live theatre.
Performers Emma Kingston and Zizi Strallen will lead the full cast of Wicked as Elphaba and Glinda in a live performance ahead of hosts England women’s national cricket team taking on Sri Lanka women’s national cricket team at Edgbaston.
The performance forms part of the International Cricket Council’s broader effort to transform the Women’s T20 World Cup into a global cultural and entertainment event beyond the boundaries of sport.
The ceremony also coincides with the 20th anniversary of Wicked’s acclaimed run in London’s West End.
Tournament organisers said more than 150,000 tickets had already been sold, making the 2026 edition the highest-selling Women’s T20 World Cup in history so far.
ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said the partnership reflects the governing body’s ambition to combine cricket with culture and entertainment.
“Our core belief is that the ICC’s marquee global events should serve as platforms for content, community, culture and commerce with the athletic spectacle as the core product,” Gupta said.
He added that the collaboration would help attract new audiences seeking immersive live-event experiences while blending sport, music and theatre beyond traditional formats.
“The Women’s T20 World Cup has grown into one of the most watched and followed women’s sporting events globally, and with this opening ceremony, we are demonstrating that the ICC is committed to delivering novel, world-class experiences,” he said.
A spokesperson for Wicked described the event as an opportunity to unite theatre and international sport on a global stage.
“For 20 years Wicked has brought audiences together through unforgettable live performance, so to open the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in front of a global sporting audience is incredibly exciting for us,” the spokesperson said.
Women’s T20 World Cup Local Organising Committee Tournament Director Beth Barrett-Wild said the collaboration would create a memorable start to the 24-day competition.
“Bringing the magic of Wicked and its hugely talented cast to Edgbaston will create an epic night of spectacle, emotion and atmosphere,” she said.
