It’s time for the ninth edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Between Oct. 1 and Oct. 20, 10 women’s cricket teams will compete in 23 matches across 18 days for the 2024 T20 World Cup trophy. The action begins this Thursday, bright and early at 6 a.m. ET with Bangladesh vs. Scotland followed by Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka at 10 a.m. ET. Are you ready to watch the Cricket World Cup? Unfortunately, in the US, the sport still airs on the niche Willow TV, which you may not already have access to. But we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know about where to stream matches, how to watch cricket for free in the U.S., the full Cricket World Cup schedule and more.

How to watch the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup:

Date: Thursday, Oct. 3

Time: 6 a.m. ET

TV channel: Willow TV

Streaming: Sling, DirecTV, Amazon via VPN, ICC.TV via VPN

When is the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024?

The Cricket World Cup begins bright and early this Thursday, Oct. 3 with a match between Bangladesh and Scotland.

Where is the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024?

The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

What channel is the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on?

In the US, the Cricket World Cup will air exclusively on Willow TV. You may not have the niche cricket cable channel in your current package, or no longer have cable at all. But don’t worry, you can sign up for Willow TV directly, or add it to a live TV streaming service like Sling, DirecTV Stream or Fubo. You can also check out other ways to stream the Cricket World Cup for free (or almost free) with the help of a VPN below.

How to watch the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup without cable:

How to watch the Cricket World Cup for free (almost):

While in the US, the Women’s T20 World Cup will be airing exclusively on Willow TV (which you’ll need cable or a subscription for), in Australia, it’s all streaming on Amazon Prime Video — so all you need to do to tune in is be a Prime subscriber. Outside of Australia, the ICC will stream the Women’s T20 World Cup live and free on ICC.tv via the official tournament app to 116 territories in Afghanistan, Continental Europe, the Pacific Islands, and Southeast Asia.

Don’t reside in Australia or any of those 116 territories right now? Don’t worry, you can still stream like you do with the help of a VPN. A VPN (virtual private network) helps protect your data, can mask your IP address and is perhaps most popular for being especially useful in the age of streaming. Whether you’re looking to watch Friends on Netflix (which left the U.S. version of the streamer back in 2019) or tune in to the Cricket World Cup on Amazon Prime in Australia, a VPN can help you out. Looking to try a VPN for the first time? This guide breaks down the best VPN options for every kind of user.

(ExpressVPN)

In Australia, viewers are able to tune into all 23 matches of the cricket world cup on Amazon Prime Video. While you may not live in Australia, you can still stream like you do with a VPN. But ExpressVPN offers “internet without borders,” meaning US viewers can tune into international shows, movies and sporting events as opposed to paying for US coverage. All you’ll need to do is sign up for ExpressVPN, change your server location to Australia, and then find the games on Amazon Prime Video. 

ExpressVPN’s added protection, speed and range of location options make it an excellent choice for first-time VPN users looking to stretch their streaming abilities, plus it’s Engadget’s top pick for the best streaming VPN. New users can save 49% when they sign up for ExpressVPN’s 12-month subscription. Plus, the service offers a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you’re nervous about trying a VPN.

$6.67/month at ExpressVPN

Who is playing in the Women’s T20 World Cup?

The T20 Women’s World Cup will have 10 teams competing: Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.

Women’s Cricket World Cup format:

Each side will play four group matches, and the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals on Oct. 17 and 18. The final will be on Oct. 20.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup schedule:

All times Eastern

October 3

October 4

October 5

October 6

October 7

October 8

October 9

October 10

October 11

October 12

October 13

October 14

October 15

October 17

October 18

October 20

2024 Women’s T20 World Cup squads:

Group A

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia (subject to fitness), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil (subject to fitness), Sajana Sajeevan

Traveling reserves: Uma Chetry (wk), Tanuja Kanwer, Saima Thakor

Non-Traveling reserves: Raghvi Bist, Priya Mishra

Australia: Alyssa Healy (c), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath (vc), Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan

Traveling reserve: Najiha Alvi (wk)

Non-travelling reserves: Rameen Shamim, Umm-e-Hani

New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Madhavi, Nilakshika de Silva, Inoka Ranaweera, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Sachini Nisansala, Vishmi Gunaratne, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana.

Travelling reserve: Kaushini Nuthyangana

Group B

England: Heather Knight (c), Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alice Capsey, Amy Jones (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Linsey Smith, Freya Kemp, Dani Gibson, Bess Heath

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon

Traveling reserve: Miané Smit

Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Dilara Akter, Taj Nehar, Shathi Rani, Disha Biswas

Scotland: Kathryn Bryce (c), Sarah Bryce (vc), Lorna Jack-Brown, Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Abtaha Maqsood, Saskia Horley, Chloe Abel, Priyanaz Chatterji, Megan McColl, Darcey Carter, Ailsa Lister, Hannah Rainey, Rachel Slater, Katherine Fraser, Olivia Bell

West Indies: Hayley Matthews (c), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle (vc, wk), Ashmini Munisar, Afy Fletcher, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafton.