Cricket chiefs confirm fixture reduction as changes to T20 Blast rubber-stamped
Cricket chiefs have confirmed a shake-up to the T20 Blast which will see the number of matches reduced in both the men’s and women’s competitions from next year.
The new structure, voted for by a majority of the 18 first-class counties, will see the amount of group stage matches cut from 14 to 12.
Further changes will see the men’s tournament move away from the existing two groups of nine format, with the counties instead placed into three groups of six.
Finals Day, which in recent years has been played in September, will also be brought forward to July, meaning the competition will conclude before the start of The Hundred.
Discussions over a restructure to the County Championship, which could see the number of games cut in that competition, are ongoing but have proved more complex.
Professional Game Committee chair, Mark McCafferty, said: “These changes to the men’s Vitality Blast will be a springboard to further investment in an historic and much-loved domestic T20 competition which is recognised as one of the world’s best.
"It’s known for its intense local rivalries, and is central to the development of England’s white-ball talent pool and to the financial performance of all 18 Counties.”
Warwickshire, who play under the Bears’ name in the Blast, will play in group B alongside Somerset, Gloucestershire, Glamorgan, Northamptonshire and old rivals Worcestershire.
Each county will play the others on a home-and-away basis, along with two matches against teams in the other groups, all of which are based along geographical lines.
The top two teams in each group, along with the best two third-placed finishers, will progress through to the quarter-finals.
The changes to the men’s competition have been pushed forward in part due to complaints from players over workload and scheduling.
Professional Cricketers’ Association chief executive, Daryl Mitchell, said: “Players are passionate about a thriving county game and a re-energised men’s Vitality Blast is a positive step that will not just see players benefit, but counties, stakeholders and supporters with an improved chance of watching players at optimum levels.
“The directive from our members has been clear during this process and continues to be so.
“When players are growing increasingly worried about their physical and mental health, as well as their ability to perform at their best, something has to change so addressing back-to-back fixtures, travel and the volume of games will see game-wide benefits.”
The women’s competition will switch to a single group of nine, with Yorkshire added to the tier one counties for both the Blast and Metro Bank One-Day Cup tournament.
Women’s finals day will be expanded to include semi-finals and a final, after this year’s inaugural competition saw an eliminator and final played on the day.
The changes come ahead of Glamorgan being added to the tier one professional circuit in 2027.
ECB Director of the Women’s Professional Game, Beth Barrett-Wild, said: “The changes for 2026 were developed in consultation with the game and the players.
“The player representatives did voice a desire to increase the volume of cricket, to allow an even home-and-away Vitality Blast in Tier one, but also recognised the scheduling challenges that would cause.”
