London’s iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground will stage its first-ever women’s Test match next year when England takes on India in a historic four-day encounter. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the fixture on Thursday as part of their 2026 home schedule, which includes matches for both the men’s and women’s teams. The Test, scheduled for July 10-13, will mark a significant milestone in women’s cricket at the revered venue.
England’s women last played a home Test in 2023, suffering a defeat to Australia in a five-day match at Trent Bridge. However, the clash against India will revert to the traditional four-day format for women’s Tests. Alongside the landmark Test, England’s women will also compete in white-ball series against New Zealand, India, and Ireland, highlighting a packed and exciting summer of cricket.
Meanwhile, England’s men’s team will begin their 2026 home season with a three-Test series against New Zealand in June, followed by another three Tests against Pakistan starting in August. The schedule reflects a strong focus on red-ball cricket, with both series expected to draw significant attention from fans and pundits alike.
In the limited-overs format, England’s men will face India in five T20s and three ODIs in July, followed by a series against Sri Lanka in September. The announcement of the 2026 fixtures underscores the ECB’s commitment to hosting high-profile international cricket across both genders, with the Lord’s women’s Test standing out as a landmark moment for the sport.