Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga and Dunedin will all hold matches at the showpiece event between February 6 and March 7 in 2021.

The schedule includes a floodlit final at Christchurch's Hagley Oval, while the tournament's opening matches will be part of a "bumper weekend" at Auckland's Eden Park.

Hamilton and Tauranga will host semi-finals and hosts New Zealand will play in all six cities.

"Our goal was to ensure all 31 matches will be played at the best venues, encompassing a geographic spread that ensured as many Kiwi sports fans as possible get to engage with the tournament," said tournament chief executive Andrea Nelson.

"It was great to see the enthusiasm from so many cities bidding for a chance to welcome the best players in the world to their back yard.

"We're absolutely thrilled with the outcome of that robust process and the cities that are now locked in."

The final can take place in the dark at Christchurch, as planning permission has been granted for lights at the Hagley Oval.

Organisers said they would monitor progress to ensure they are installed in time.

"We are committed to growing the women's game and this event is another step forward on that journey and part of our continued investment in the game to provide a global platform for the world's best players," International Cricket Council chief executive Manu Sawhney said. 

"Women's cricket has huge potential for growth and the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2021 gives us a fantastic opportunity to realise that.

"I'd like to thank our host cities for sharing in our ambition and I know the New Zealand sport-loving public will be out in force to support the teams. 

"The eyes of the cricketing world will be on New Zealand in February and March 2021, as the best female players on the planet converge to put on what will be an incredible show."

The full match schedule will be announced at the World Cup's official launch in March. 

England will defend their title after winning on home soil in 2017.