West End drama is coming to Edgbaston as the cast of Wicked prepare to deliver a spectacular live performance ahead of England’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup opener against Sri Lanka.
In a first for global sport, Wicked stars Emma Kingston and Zizi Strallen will take centre stage, leading the Wicked company as Elphaba and Glinda, performing iconic songs from one of the most globally successful musicals of all time in front of a packed-out crowd and millions watching worldwide, before the first ball is bowled.
The collaboration forms part of the ICC’s ambition to elevate the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup beyond sport alone, creating culturally resonant moments that blend elite competition with world-class entertainment and position the tournament among the biggest global live-event experiences.
Marking Wicked’s 20th anniversary in London’s West End, the performance will transform Edgbaston into a one-night-only collision of live theatre and elite sport, bringing together the drama and spectacle of two global stages for the opening night of the biggest-ever Women’s T20 World Cup.
The tournament is already on the yellow brick road to history and has set a new benchmark as the highest-selling edition, with more than 150,000 tickets sold with three weeks to go.
A spokesperson for Wicked said: “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.
“There is a real sense of drama, emotion and anticipation shared between theatre and live sport, and this performance is a chance to bring those worlds together in a truly unique way on one of the biggest stages possible.”
Beth Barrett-Wild, Tournament Director, added: “You wouldn't normally expect to see world-class cricket sharing the same stage as a hit West End musical, but that is exactly what makes this such an unmissable way to open the tournament.
“Bringing the magic of Wicked and its hugely talented cast to Edgbaston will create an epic night of spectacle, emotion, and atmosphere. It will also set the tone for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, opening 24 days of competition showcasing the very best in global cricket, with dramatic showdowns, unlimited excitement and gravity defying moments of unparalleled sporting skill. We can’t wait to get things started!"
With just over two weeks to go, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 the countdown is well and truly on to the start of 24 days of elite, unmissable cricket action, which will be played across 33 matches at seven iconic venues throughout England and Wales.
In the remaining days ahead of tournament, the World Cup trophy will travel across the country, visiting cities, communities and grassroots cricket clubs as excitement continues to build ahead of the opening match at Edgbaston.
Tickets for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 are on sale now via tickets.womens.t20worldcup.com
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