Vitality Blast 2026

The Vitality Blast returns for its 26th season with a bold new format. Three groups of six counties – North, South, and Central & West – will battle through 12 group-stage matches each, starting May 22. Somerset enter as defending champions after beating Hampshire in the 2025 final.

The top two from each group plus the two best third-placed teams progress to the quarter-finals on July 15. The showpiece Finals Day – featuring two semi-finals and a final – caps the tournament at Edgbaston on Saturday, July 18.