WORCESTERSHIRE CCC will begin life in Division Two of the County Championship with a trip to Derbyshire following the club’s relegation last season.
The Pears finished bottom of the Division One table in 2025, some 42 points from safety after winning just one of their 14 matches.
Worcestershire spent just two seasons back in the top flight following promotion in 2023 but now return to Division Two for the 2026 campaign,
And the Pears begin the new season away at Derbyshire on April 3 after the latter side just missed out on promotion last term.
Worcestershire then travel to Middlesex on April 10 as the Pears start the campaign with back-to-back away trips.
The county’s first home game of the season sees the Pears entertain Kent at New Road on April 24.
Alan Richardson’s side start the following month at Northamptonshire (May 1) before hosting fellow relegated club Durham (May 8) and then travel to Lancashire (May 15).
The County Championship season breaks for almost a month before the Pears return to action with back-to-back home games against Middlesex (June 12) and Gloucestershire (June 19).
Another month-long break follows with the Pears back in action away at Gloucestershire (August 20).
A red ball festival of cricket will take place at New Road for Worcestershire’s fixture against Lancashire (August 27).
The Pears then travel to Kent (September 2), host Northamptonshire (September 8) and make the trip to Durham (September 15).
Worcestershire close the season by hosting opening day opponents Derbyshire at New Road (September 24).
And head coach Richardson wants to make a strong start to the campaign following a difficult 2025 season.
Richardson said: “First class cricket provides a plethora of demands and last year we showed unbelievable fight and spirit right until the very end in Championship cricket.
“We want to be challenging across all competitions, especially in red ball cricket and are already building towards a big start to 2026.”
