Somerset’s fixtures for the 2026 Vitality Blast have been officially announced, setting the stage for an exciting season as the team aims to defend their men’s Vitality Blast title.
The season opener will see Somerset face a familiar foe, Hampshire Hawks, in a repeat of the 2025 final. This thrilling encounter will take place at the Cooper Associates County Ground on Friday, May 22.
Key home matches include a clash against Gloucestershire on Friday, June 26, and the reverse fixture away in Bristol on Friday, June 5. Somerset will also host Glamorgan and Warwickshire Bears on June 4 and June 7, respectively, followed by final home games against Northamptonshire Steelbacks and Worcestershire Rapids in July.
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Away fixtures for Somerset feature challenging encounters with Warwickshire Bears (May 24), Glamorgan (May 29), Worcestershire Rapids (June 28), Northamptonshire Steelbacks (July 5), and Derbyshire Falcons (July 8).
The 2026 Vitality Blast season introduces a dynamic new format with 16 double-header weekends kicking off during the Bank Holiday weekend. Across the men’s and women’s competitions, a total of 61 double headers will be played, enhancing fan engagement through intensified derby rivalries, more matches scheduled on fan-friendly days, and a more balanced timetable to support player performance.
Somerset will compete in Group B alongside Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire Steelbacks, Warwickshire Bears, and Worcestershire Rapids. Each county will play 12 group-stage matches—six at home and six away—facing each group opponent both home and away, plus one home and one away match against counties from outside their group.
The tournament’s knockout stage will see the top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed sides, advance to the quarter-finals. Successful quarter-finalists will move on to the Men’s Finals Day for a chance at the championship.
The revamped format promises an exhilarating season of T20 cricket as Somerset battles to retain their title amid fierce competition and a fan-focused schedule.