Vitality Blast 2025: Full Schedule, Match Previews & Streaming Guide

The 2025 Vitality Blast—England and Wales’ premier domestic T20 competition—kicks off on May 29 and runs through September 13, featuring 133 exhilarating matches across 18 county teams. This guide gives fans everything they need: full fixture breakdowns, key previews, and where to catch the action worldwide.

Full Schedule Overview

• Group Stage (May 29 – July 13): Each of the 18 first-class counties is split into North and South groups, playing 14 matches each (seven home, seven away).
   
• Knockout Phase (mid-August): Top four teams from each group enter quarter-finals.
   
• Finals Day (September 13, Edgbaston): Two semis and a final decide the champion.
   
• Women's Vitality Blast runs concurrently (May 30 – July 27) with its inaugural 18-team tournament.
   

Spotlight Match Previews

Men’s Premier Fixtures

1. Opening Weekend May 29–31: Expect fireworks as teams open their campaigns; star players like Shane “Tawanda” Muyeye (Northamptonshire) and Chris Woakes (Lancashire) lead their fronts.
    
2. July 6 Highlights: Key matches such as Surrey vs Lancashire and Durham vs Warwickshire are turning points as teams seek quarter-final spots .
    
3. South Group Decider: Somerset, Essex, and Hampshire battle for top call; their clash on July 8 at Taunton promises explosive batting performances.
    
4. Finals Day: Edged by nerves and performances, the ultimate showdown decides the 2025 Blast champion.
    

Women’s Blast Spotlight

• Inaugural Showcases: Teams vie to set the standard in the first-ever 18-team Women’s Blast, with top-tier counties like Surrey and Lancashire Thunder in the spotlight.
   
• Final Week July 20–27: Expect competitive league-climaxes and a finals blitz.
   

Where to Watch & Stream

United Kingdom

• Sky Sports airs 23 group games, quarter-finals, and both Finals Days.
   
• BBC and Channel 5 provide free-to-air highlights, while Sky Go and NOW TV Day Pass offer flexible streaming.
   

ECB Live Streams

• All non-televised matches are streamed free on ecb.co.uk and the England Cricket app, with each county also broadcasting their home non-televised games via websites/social media.
   

International Streaming

• FanCode streams the Blast across India and South Asia.
   
• Willow TV delivers US/Canada coverage, bundled via Sling TV .
   
• Fox Cricket / Kayo Sports cover Australia, and BeIN/OSN offer MENA coverage.
   

Audio & Highlights

• BBC local radio offers ball-by-ball commentary.
   
• Match replays and condensed highlights feature on ECB’s site and Channel 5’s streaming portal.

Standings & Format Breakdown

• North & South groups feature nine teams each. Standings updated live via ECB match centres and ESPNcricinfo.
   
• Points System: 2 for a win, tie / no-result share, net run-rate breaks ties .
   

Key Storylines

1. Gloucestershire defend their title after a memorable maiden win in 2024.
    
2. Emerging stars such as Muyeye, James Anderson (returning veteran), and Amanda-Jade Wellington are generating hype.
    
3. Women’s inaugural season introduces fresh format and narrative, pairing with the men’s for a unified summer showcase.
    
4. T20 format's evolution sees more free-to-air access, digital integration, and enhanced fan engagement .

Final Word

The 2025 Vitality Blast promises a rich summer of cricket with 133 T20 matches packed with power hitting, high stakes, and fresh stars. Whether you’re in the UK, India, the US, or Australia, there's a way to tune in—through TV, app, or broadcast. With counties battling at home and young talents emerging, this is one series that perfectly embodies the excitement of short-form cricket.