ECB Names Ten Teams For Inaugural Tier 2 Women’s League

The ECB has revealed the ten counties that will compete in the inaugural Tier 2 domestic women’s competition from 2025.

The teams include Derbyshire, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Middlesex, Sussex, Worcestershire and Yorkshire.

The clubs will play both 50-over and 20-over cricket formats, with further details regarding fixture schedules and the competition’s structure set to be revealed in due course.

The ECB has also confirmed the formation of Tier 3, which will comprise other county teams wanting to participate in the league.

In April, the national cricket body announced the eight teams that will feature in Tier 1, the newly formed top-flight of domestic women’s cricket for England and Wales.

Subject to conditions, Yorkshire will join Tier 1 in 2026, with Glamorgan set to join the elite division in 2027.

Meanwhile, the ECB has also unveiled plans for a knockout cup competition comprising teams from all three divisions, which is expected to debut next year.

After the new three-tiered infrastructure takes effect, there will be no promotion or relegation for the first four seasons.

The ECB is planning for Tier 1 to expand to 12 teams for 2029, as part of its strategy to help further grow domestic women’s cricket.

Earlier this year, the ECB increased its annual investment into the women’s game by £8m, bringing its overall funding to around £19m per year.

“It’s exciting to see the three tiers finalised,” said Beth Barrett-Wild, Director of the Women’s Professional Game at ECB.

“It brings the new landscape of women’s professional domestic cricket one step closer.

“From next summer we will see up to 39 counties competing across the new structure, which will both accommodate the growth and accelerate the depth of the women’s professional game – on and off the field.

“We shouldn’t underestimate how big this step is for women’s cricket and indeed the whole game; a thriving and sustainable women’s domestic pyramid underneath The Hundred and England Women, with more professional female players, increased investment, and enhanced alignment across the men’s and women’s game, is a huge step forward for cricket.”

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