Lancashire Lightning and Lancashire Thunder will begin their 2026 T20 campaigns with a thrilling doubleheader at The Kia Oval after the Vitality Blast schedule was released today:

First group-stage meeting between Lancashire Lightning and Surrey at Kia Oval on Friday 22 May
Historic Roses double header against Yorkshire at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday 10 July
Both teams to conclude the group stage with a home double header against Durham on Sunday 12 July

Lancashire Cricket can confirm that our 2026 Vitality Blast season will open with a doubleheader at the Kia Oval on Friday 22 May, featuring Lancashire Lightning and Lancashire Thunder against Surrey. This marks the first time Lightning will face Surrey in the group stage, following changes to the Vitality Blast’s structure ahead of the new season.

The group stage of the 2026 Men’s Vitality Blast consists of three groups with Lancashire Lightning in Group 1 alongside Nottinghamshire Outlaws, Derbyshire Falcons, Lancashire Lightning, Durham, Yorkshire and Leicestershire Foxes – each county plays the other teams in their group home and away – a total of 10 matches, as well as two crossover matches with teams from another group.

Following the opening night in London, both Lancashire sides will return home to Emirates Old Trafford for Bank Holiday fixtures against Notts Outlaws and The Blaze on Monday 25 May.

On Sunday 7 June, Lancashire Lightning will play their second crossover match as they face Glamorgan, with the fixture set to be held at Blackpool CC’s Stanley Park due to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup being played at Emirates Old Trafford.

The 2026 schedule also includes the first-ever T20 Roses double header on Friday 10 July, with both Lancashire Lightning and Lancashire Thunder hosting Yorkshire at Emirates Old Trafford.

Both teams will conclude their group-stage campaigns in Manchester on Sunday 12 July, hosting Durham in a fifth and final home double header of the season.

The Men’s quarter-finals are scheduled for Wednesday 15 July, with Finals Day set for Saturday 18 July at Edgbaston, while Finals Day for the Women’s competition will take place the night before at the Kia Oval on Friday 17 July.

Lancashire Lightning – 2026 Vitality Blast Fixtures:

May
Fri 22 May – Away – Surrey vs Lancashire Lightning – Kia Oval
Mon 25 May – Home – Lancashire Lightning vs Notts Outlaws – Emirates Old Trafford
Fri 29 May – Home – Lancashire Lightning vs Leicestershire Foxes – Emirates Old Trafford

June
Fri 5 Jun – Away – Yorkshire vs Lancashire Lightning – Headingley
Sun 7 Jun – Home (Outground) – Lancashire Lightning vs Glamorgan – Blackpool
Tue 9 Jun – Away – Durham vs Lancashire Lightning – Banks Homes Riverside
Fri 26 Jun – Away – Leicestershire Foxes vs Lancashire Lightning – Uptonsteel County Ground

July
Wed 1 Jul – Away – Derbyshire Falcons vs Lancashire Lightning – The Central Co-op County Ground, Derby
Fri 3 Jul – Away – Notts Outlaws vs Lancashire Lightning – Trent Bridge
Mon 6 Jul – Home – Lancashire Lightning vs Derbyshire Falcons – Emirates Old Trafford
Fri 10 Jul – Home – Lancashire Lightning vs Yorkshire – Emirates Old Trafford
Sun 12 Jul – Home – Lancashire Lightning vs Durham – Emirates Old Trafford

Lancashire Thunder – 2026 Vitality Blast Fixtures:

May
Fri 22 May – Away – Surrey vs Lancashire Thunder – Kia Oval
Mon 25 May – Home – Lancashire Thunder vs The Blaze – Emirates Old Trafford
Fri 29 May – Home – Lancashire Thunder vs Somerset – Emirates Old Trafford
Sun 31 May – Away – Essex vs Lancashire Thunder – Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, Chelmsford

June
Sun 7 Jun – Away – The Blaze vs Lancashire Thunder – Trent Bridge
Tue 9 Jun – Home (Outground) – Lancashire Thunder vs Hampshire Hawks – Blackpool
Sun 28 Jun – Home (Outground) – Lancashire Thunder vs Warwickshire Bears – Blackpool

July
Wed 1 Jul – Away – Yorkshire vs Lancashire Thunder – Headingley
Fri 3 Jul – Away – Durham vs Lancashire Thunder – Banks Homes Riverside
Sun 5 Jul – Away – Hampshire Hawks vs Lancashire Thunder – Utilita Bowl
Fri 10 Jul – Home – Lancashire Thunder vs Yorkshire – Emirates Old Trafford
Sun 12 Jul – Home – Lancashire Thunder vs Durham – Emirates Old Trafford

Lancashire’s Rothesay County Championship and Metro Bank One-Day Cup fixtures will be revealed on Thursday (27 November). Members will also be able to book their tickets for the 2026 season from this date.