Warwickshire and Worcestershire set for T20 Blast double headers

Next season will be the first time in the tournament’s history that all women’s and men’s county teams will play side by side.

The new Bears Women side will compete as one of eight Tier 1 teams in a new-look structure. And every one of their seven home games will be played at Edgbaston.

Bears men and women start their group campaigns at Trent Bridge on May 30, against Notts Outlaws and The Blaze respectively, before both entertain Durham on May 31.

Two more home double-headers follow on June 6 (men vs Yorkshire Vikings and women vs Somerset) and June 8 when the men take on Derbyshire Falcons and the women entertain Lancashire Thunder.

And June 20 is a date that will be firmly fixed in fans’ calendars as Blast derby day is back at Edgbaston when Bears take on near neighbours Worcestershire Rapids. The return clash at New Road is on July 11.

Bears Commercial Director Adam Lowe, said: “Fixture reveal day is always a big moment in the calendar for Bears fans – and even more so this year with some exciting new additions plus all the Bears Women games to look forward to.

“It’s brilliant that Bears Men and Women will take top billing together at Edgbaston for so many double-headers next summer."

The Rapids will host all seven of their home Blast fixtures at New Road, while the women’s Rapids will play all four of their home games in the inaugural Vitality Blast Women’s County Cup at the same iconic venue.

The men launch their campaign with an away clash against Lancashire Lightning on May 29, followed by back-to-back home games against Yorkshire Vikings (June 1) and Northamptonshire Steelbacks (June 6).

The women’s season kicks off with a home double-header on Sunday, June 8, as they face Derbyshire Falcons and Northamptonshire Steelbacks. Fans can also look forward to a unique men’s and women’s double-header on July 13, with the Rapids taking on Leicestershire Foxes.

Women's Rapids captain Chloe Hill is excited by the challenge that awaits.

"Playing all our games at Visit Worcestershire New Road is fantastic and will definitely inspire the team," she said.

"The new competition format brings fresh challenges, but we've enjoyed great success in recent years and are ready to embrace the opportunities 2025 will bring."

In total, 52 men’s and women’s double-headers will be staged next season in a “bigger and better” Blast.

The tournament begins with the ‘Blast-Off weekend’ from May 29 to June 1.

The group stages will conclude with the ‘Friday Finale’ on July 18, where the women’s teams will compete for three Finals Day spots and the men’s teams will aim to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

And Edgbaston will again host the men’s Finals Day on September 13 .

It’s the 17th time in the 23 years of T20 - and the 13th straight year - that the Bears will host one of the best days on the cricket calendar

The Kia Oval will stage the Women’s Finals Day on July 27.