ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: Schedule and Key Details Released
T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule Announced
India, the co-host, will kick off its title defense at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 with a high-profile night match against the United States at the renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7. This match is set to mark an exciting start to a day filled with cricket across the subcontinent.
On the opening day, former champions Pakistan and the West Indies will also be in action, competing at the historic Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo and Eden Gardens in Kolkata, respectively, as per the announcement from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The grand finale is scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 8, as part of a tournament that will unfold across eight vibrant venues in India and Sri Lanka. The complete list of venues includes MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), R Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (Colombo), and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy).
The full schedule was revealed during a spectacular ceremony in Mumbai, led by ICC Chairman Jay Shah. The event featured prominent figures such as Rohit Sharma, the captain who led India to victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav, the T20 captain of India, and Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the Indian women's team and reigning ICC CWC 2025 champion.
Tournament Format and Key Matches
The tournament will adopt the successful format from 2024, where India emerged victorious in Barbados. A total of twenty teams will be divided into four groups of five, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super Eights, where they will be seeded based on pre-determined rankings.
India is set to clash with Pakistan on February 15 at R Premadasa Stadium in their Group A match. If Pakistan progresses to the semi-finals, the venue for Semi-Final 1 will shift from Kolkata to Colombo. Should Pakistan reach the final, the final match venue will also change from Ahmedabad to Colombo. If India and Pakistan meet in the semi-finals, that match will be held in Colombo, while Mumbai will host Semi-Final 2 if India faces a different opponent.
Key Figures Discuss the Tournament
Jay Shah, Sanjog Gupta, and Rohit Sharma expressed their enthusiasm regarding the schedule announcement and shared their anticipation for the tournament.
Jay Shah, ICC Chairman
Jay Shah remarked, "It is fantastic to bring the ICC Men's T20 World Cup back to the subcontinent shortly after a historic Women's Cricket World Cup. The cricketing passion in this region is unparalleled, and fans have eagerly awaited another global event. The fixture announcement brings us closer to the tournament, and I am confident that the five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka will be buzzing with excitement throughout the event," as stated in an ICC release.
He added, "The T20 format continues to propel the sport's global growth and will be featured at the LA Olympics in 2028. The 2026 edition is poised to captivate millions, and one can already envision the electrifying atmosphere at the Narendra Modi Stadium when the champions lift the trophy on March 8."
Sanjog Gupta, ICC CEO
Sanjog Gupta stated, "The ICC Men's T20 World Cup is set to herald a new era of global cricketing events, both in terms of athletic performance and fan engagement. With six different champions in less than two decades, the tournament's competitive nature is evident. With 20 teams from five continents competing in cricket's most unpredictable format, this promises to be a treat for cricket enthusiasts worldwide. The ICC and its partners are dedicated to providing unparalleled immersive experiences throughout this extravaganza to enhance and deepen the sport's fanbase."
Rohit Sharma, Brand Ambassador
Rohit Sharma shared, "Having won this tournament twice, I can attest that each victory is unique. I won my first title in 2007 as a young player and then again as captain in 2024. However, it's not just the finals that I cherish; many matches hold special memories for me."
He continued, "Surya's remarkable catch against South Africa in Barbados, Virat's innings against Pakistan in Melbourne in 2022, and Yuvraj's six sixes against England in Durban in 2007 are unforgettable moments on the cricket field."
"It's exciting to have the tournament back in India, and I am thrilled to be associated with it again, this time as the Brand Ambassador. I wish all players the best and hope they enjoy India's hospitality while creating lasting memories," he concluded.
Tournament History and Host Nations
This will be the second time India and Sri Lanka co-host the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka previously hosted the tournament in 2012, while India was the host in 2016, with the West Indies winning both editions. India (2007 and 2024) and England (2010 and 2022) are the only teams to have won the championship multiple times, while Pakistan (2009), Sri Lanka (2014), and Australia (2021) are other past champions.
T20 World Cup 2026 Groupings
Group A: India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan
Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal
Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE
All matches in Group B, featuring co-hosts Sri Lanka, will be held exclusively at Sri Lankan venues. Additionally, all of Pakistan's matches will also take place in Sri Lanka.