WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids will begin their defence of the One-Day Cup with a home game against Derbyshire Falcons at New Road.
The Rapids lifted the trophy last season following a dramatic three-wicket DLS win against Hampshire at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
And the victory marked Worcestershire’s first-ever success in the competition since it began in 2014 as the county lifted their first List A title for 18 years.
The defending champions begin their 2026 One-Day Cup campaign at home against Derbyshire on July 24.
And the Rapids then host Hampshire in a repeat of last season’s final on July 26 before making the trip to Yorkshire on July 29.
Worcestershire return home to celebrate ‘Blue for Bakes’ in memory of Josh Baker against Middlesex on July 31.
Trips to Essex (August 2), Sussex Sharks (August 7) and Glamorgan (August 9) follow before the Rapids round off the group stages with a home game against Durham (August 11).
The top team in each group progresses directly to a home semi-final with the second and third-placed teams to meet in a quarter-final.
And the final will once again take place at Trent Bridge.
Men’s head coach, Alan Richardson said: “Everyone involved at the club will remember how special the competition was last year, so naturally the whole group will be really excited to get started in the 50-over tournament when it comes around next year.
“The entire club bought into it last year and made it a very special month, so hopefully we can play some good cricket again and give our supporters something to cheer about.”
Elsewhere, Rapids women open their season with a trip to Sussex on April 19 before returning home to host Leicestershire Foxes on August 3.
Back-to-back away games follow at Middlesex (May 10) and Derbyshire (July 26).
The women then host Kent (August 2) in their ‘Blue for Bakes’ fixture before entertaining Glamorgan (August 9).
Worcestershire travel to Northamptonshire Steelbacks (August 16) and close the group stages with a home game against Gloucestershire (September 6).
The top four counties at the end of the group stage will progress to the semi-finals which take place on September 13 with the final on September 20 at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol.
Women’s head coach, Ed Wilson said: “We showed exactly what we can do in moments throughout last year, with a couple of really impressive wins, so we know as a squad heading into next year how important it is we show our best from the outset in the One-Day Cup.”
