Essex’s 2026 Vitality Blast campaign begins with a double-header against Sussex Sharks and Warwickshire Bears at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground on Friday 22 May.
The men’s and women’s 2026 Vitality Blast fixtures are out! Essex Men begin their campaign with a home fixture against Sussex Sharks and finish against Hampshire Hawks – also at home. Essex Women start their campaign against Warwickshire Bears at Chelmsford before they finish the group-stage at Taunton versus Somerset.
The new-look Vitality Blast will ‘Blast Off’ with 16 double headers across the opening Bank Holiday Weekend of the men’s and women’s competitions next season.
A total of 61 double headers will be played next season with both the men’s and women’s competitions revamped following this year’s county-led review, that will see a greater focus on derby rivalries, more matches in fan-friendly days and a more balanced schedule to support player performance.
Essex Men’s 2026 Vitality Blast Home Fixtures
Essex Men’s 2026 Vitality Blast Away Fixtures
Opponent: Hampshire Hawks
Venue: Utilita Bowl
Date: Tuesday 26 May
Opponent: Kent Spitfires
Venue: St. Lawrence Ground
Date: Friday 29 May
Opponent: Middlesex
Venue: Merchant Taylors’ School
Date: Sunday 07 June
Opponent: Northants Steelbacks
Venue: The County Ground Northampton
Date: Friday 26 June
Opponent: Sussex Sharks
Venue: The 1st Central County Ground
Date: Friday 03 July
Opponent: Surrey
Venue: Kia Oval
Date: Sunday 12 July
The Vitality Blast Men’s Competition now consists of 12 group-stage matches, with three groups of six, which has allowed schedulers to place 80 per cent of group-stage fixtures in fan-friendly slots on a Friday, Sunday or a Bank Holiday.
The total number of back-to-back matches in the Vitality Blast Men’s Competition has been reduced to six – which is down from more than 50 two years ago – while there is just one in the Vitality Blast Women’s Competition.
Essex Women’s 2026 Vitality Blast Home Fixtures
Essex Women’s 2026 Vitality Blast Away Fixtures
Opponent: Hampshire Hawks
Venue: Utilita Bowl
Date: Tuesday 26 May
Opponent: Yorkshire
Venue: Headingley
Date: Friday 29 May
Opponent: Surrey
Venue: Kia Oval
Date: Friday 05 June
Opponent: Warwickshire Bears
Venue: EdgBLASTON
Date: Wednesday 01 June
Opponent: Durham
Venue: Banks Homes Riverside
Date: Friday 10 July
Opponent: Somerset
Venue: The Cooper Associates County Ground
Date: Sunday July 12
The Vitality Blast Men’s Competition and Vitality Blast Women’s Competition group stage will conclude over ‘Finale Weekend’ (Friday 10 July – Sunday 12 July) with the men’s quarter-finals immediately following on Wednesday 15 July.
Vitality Blast Women’s Finals Day will mirror the men’s format – with two semi-finals and a final – and be played on Friday 17 July at the Kia Oval. Vitality Blast Men’s Finals Day will follow the next day at EdgBLASTon.
Secure your international tickets!
The T20 game will be the opening game of the series between the two sides and will also be the first game of India Women’s tour of England.
After an unforgettable summer of international cricket for the England teams, tickets for the fixture next summer have already proved extremely popular in the priority windows so secure your seat today!
Tickets can be bought online or through our Ticket Office on 01245 254010 (phone lines open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
