The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to return with a high-profile edition, scheduled to be played between February and March 2026. The tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, marking the first time the two South Asian nations jointly stage a Men’s T20 World Cup. With 20 teams competing, the event promises a packed calendar of matches across some of the most iconic cricket venues in the region.
Tournament Overview
The 2026 edition will follow the expanded 20-team format, continuing the structure introduced in recent ICC events. The competition will feature a group stage, followed by the Super 12 phase, semi-finals, and the final. The exact match dates and venue allocations have been released by the ICC, confirming a month-long cricketing spectacle that will conclude in early March.
India and Sri Lanka will together host 55 matches, with games spread across multiple cities to ensure wide fan access and regional engagement. The final venue will be decided closer to the knockout stages, depending on logistical and operational considerations.
Read More: 6 Forms of Cricket
Venues Across India and Sri Lanka
Matches will be played at several established international venues.
Indian venues include:
- Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Sri Lankan venues include:
- R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo
- Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Venue allocation for knockout matches will be confirmed closer to the tournament.
Tournament Format of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will follow a multi-stage format designed to ensure competitive balance and high-stakes progression.
| Stage | Dates | Format |
| Group Stage | February 7–20, 2026 | Teams are divided into groups, and the top teams advance |
| Super 12s | Late February 2026 | Two groups and the top two qualify |
| Semi-finals | Early March 2026 | Knockout matches |
| Final | Early March 2026 | Championship match |
Key Matches to Watch
While the full fixture list has been released, some match timings and venues remain subject to confirmation. Several high-profile clashes are already drawing attention:
| Match | Date | Time (Local) | Venue |
| Tournament Opener | February 7, 2026 | Evening | India (TBC) |
| India vs Pakistan | Mid-February 2026 | Evening | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| England vs West Indies | Group Stage | Evening | India (TBC) |
| Final | Early March 2026 | Evening | India / Sri Lanka (TBC) |
Teams and Qualification
A total of 20 teams have qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, including full-member nations and teams that progressed through the ICC qualification pathway. Confirmed participants include India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, the West Indies, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and several associate nations.
The expanded lineup reflects the ICC’s ongoing effort to globalise the shortest format of the game and provide exposure to emerging cricketing nations on the world stage.
India Squad Announcement
India has announced a 15-member squad for the tournament, led by Suryakumar Yadav. The selection features a combination of experienced international players and in-form performers from domestic and franchise cricket.
The squad includes established names such as Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Rinku Singh, alongside multiple batting and bowling options to suit different conditions across India and Sri Lanka. The selectors have emphasised balance, flexibility, and recent form while finalising the squad.
Broadcast, Tickets and Fan Interest
Broadcast rights for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held by official ICC partners across regions. In India, matches will be available on leading sports television channels and digital streaming platforms, while global audiences can follow the tournament through regional broadcasters.
Ticket sales are being rolled out via official ICC platforms, with entry-level prices starting as low as ₹100 in India, making it one of the most affordable ICC events to date. Pricing varies by city and match category, with further phases of ticket sales to follow.
What Lies Ahead
With marquee venues, intense rivalries, and a month-long schedule, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is expected to be a major highlight on the international cricket calendar. As teams finalise preparations and fans gear up, anticipation continues to build for a high-energy tournament across India and Sri Lanka.
Download Playo on Android or iOS, or visit playo.co to start playing!
Frequently Asked Questions
Ticket prices for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 start at ₹100 in India and LKR 1,000 in Sri Lanka for Phase I sales (group and early matches), making it one of the most affordable editions in recent ICC history. Prices vary by venue and match category.
For the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (latest confirmed tournament), the total prize pool was US $11.25 million, with the winners receiving at least US $2.45 million.
South Africa is in Group D alongside New Zealand, Afghanistan, the UAE, and Canada. Their campaign begins on February 9 against Canada at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
0 Comments