One-Day Cup (England) 2026/27

The One-Day Cup serves as the premier domestic 50-over cricket competition in England and Wales. Organized by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), it occupies the top tier of the limited-overs pyramid alongside the T20 Blast. The competition was founded in 2014, replacing the previous ECB40 tournament. Unlike the T20 Blast, which is a 20-over entertainment-focused spectacle, the One-Day Cup is designed to test player endurance over a full day.

Since the introduction of The Hundred, the ECB has classified the One-Day Cup as a "development competition." This classification gives it a lower commercial profile and status compared to the shorter format tournament. Participation is restricted exclusively to first-class county clubs, with no promotion or relegation from lower-tier competitions like the National Counties Championship. The current season features 18 teams divided into two groups of nine. Each team plays every other side in its group once, resulting in eight matches per team.

The structure concludes with a knockout stage comprising quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final. The final has been held at Trent Bridge since 2020. Historically, Lancashire holds the record for the most titles across all iterations of the competition, including its predecessor tournaments. Middlesex follows with four titles, while Surrey and Yorkshire have claimed three and two respectively. The current holder is Worcestershire, who defeated Hampshire in the 2025 final.

The competition differs from its neighbours primarily in its format and development focus. While the T20 Blast attracts significant sponsorship and media attention, the One-Day Cup provides a platform for squad depth and tactical experimentation over longer innings. The official sponsored name is the Metro Bank One Day Cup, a title adopted in 2023. This arrangement ensures that county cricket maintains a structured pathway for white-ball players within the traditional domestic framework.