Reigning County Championship champions Nottinghamshire will kick off their 2026 campaign with a high-profile clash against Somerset at Taunton, aiming to defend the title they reclaimed last season for the first time since 2010. Nottinghamshire secured the championship by winning seven of their 14 matches, losing only once, and finishing 16 points clear of Surrey, who had dominated the previous three seasons.

County Championship Format Remains Unchanged

Following a vote by all 18 first-class counties, the County Championship format will remain the same for the 2026 season. Each of the 10 Division One teams and eight Division Two sides will play 14 matches, continuing the structure established in 2016.

The Professional Cricketers’ Association expressed disappointment at the decision, with chief executive Daryl Mitchell stating that the outcome did not fully address the modern demands on elite players while failing to evolve the competition to appeal to wider audiences.

However, one change will see the abandonment of the Kookaburra ball experiment, with the traditional Dukes ball used throughout the season.

The schedule will feature a seven-week opening block in April and May, followed by two matches each in June, and concluding with six rounds starting 20 August, finishing on 28 September.

Men’s and Women’s One-Day Cup

The One-Day Cup fixtures for 2026 have also been confirmed. The women’s competition begins on 11 April, with holders Lancashire travelling to Durham at the Riverside. The men’s tournament will start on 24 July, with Worcestershire defending their trophy at home against Derbyshire.

A notable development in the women’s game is Yorkshire joining the tier-one teams, allowing the first fully professional 50-over Roses match against Lancashire at Old Trafford on 25 April, with the return fixture scheduled for 12 September. Yorkshire claimed the League Two One-Day Cup last season, defeating Glamorgan by nine wickets with Erin Thomas scoring an unbeaten 62.

For the men, groups for the One-Day Cup have been drawn, meaning only Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Surrey remain in Group A from last year. Group B features Durham, Middlesex, Sussex, and Yorkshire, ensuring no men’s Roses matches in the Championship or group stage next season.

Men’s 2026 County Championship Groups

Division One:

• Glamorgan v Yorkshire (Cardiff)
• Hampshire v Essex (Utilita Bowl)
• Leicestershire v Sussex (Leicester)
• Somerset v Nottinghamshire (Taunton)
• Warwickshire v Surrey (Edgbaston)

Division Two:

• Derbyshire v Worcestershire (Derby)
• Durham v Kent (Riverside)
• Middlesex v Gloucestershire (Lord’s)
• Northamptonshire v Lancashire (Northampton)

Men’s One-Day Cup Opening Fixtures (July)

• Derbyshire Falcons v Durham (Derby) – 21 July
• Lancashire v Surrey (Sedbergh) – 21 July
• Northants Steelbacks v Warwickshire (Northampton) – 21 July
• Yorkshire v Hampshire (Scarborough) – 21 July
• Notts Outlaws v Somerset (Sookholme) – 21 July

Women’s One-Day Cup Opening Fixtures (April)

• Durham v Lancashire (Riverside) – 11 April
• Hampshire v Essex (Utilita Bowl) – 11 April
• Somerset v Yorkshire (Taunton) – 11 April
• Warwickshire v Surrey (Edgbaston) – 11 April

Key Takeaways

• Nottinghamshire begin title defence against Somerset, looking to maintain momentum from 2025.
• The Dukes ball will be used throughout the season, replacing the Kookaburra experiment.
• Yorkshire Women join tier-one 50-over competition, marking a significant step in professionalising women’s cricket.
• The County Championship and One-Day Cup schedule ensures a balanced spread of fixtures, maintaining competitive integrity across men’s and women’s formats.