India and Sri Lanka will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in February and March 2026. The tournament will feature 20 teams divided into four groups, with matches held in iconic venues such as Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Colombo. India, the defending champions, aim to retain their crown after their thrilling 2024 victory. Ticket sales and the official schedule are expected to be finalised by late 2025.
Table of Contents
Overview of T20 World Cup 2026
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 marks the 10th edition of cricket’s shortest-format global event. After the electrifying 2024 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean—where India lifted the trophy—the cricketing world now turns its attention to Asia.
India and Sri Lanka will co-host the 2026 edition, with matches spread across major Indian cities like Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai, alongside Colombo in Sri Lanka.
The event will continue the 20-team format, providing global exposure and giving associate nations like Nepal, Oman, and the UAE another chance to shine.
Host Nations & Venues
Hosts: India and Sri Lanka
Duration: February 10 – March 12, 2026
Total Matches: 55 (including group, Super 8, and knockout rounds)
Key Indian Venues
| City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | Narendra Modi Stadium | 132,000 |
| Chennai | MA Chidambaram Stadium | 38,000 |
| Kolkata | Eden Gardens | 68,000 |
| Delhi | Arun Jaitley Stadium | 41,000 |
| Hyderabad | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium | 55,000 |
| Mumbai | Wankhede Stadium | 33,000 |
| Jaipur | Sawai Mansingh Stadium | 30,000 |
| Mohali | PCA IS Bindra Stadium | 27,000 |
Sri Lanka Venue
| City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Colombo | R. Premadasa Stadium | 40,000 |
T20 World Cup 2026 Teams List
A total of 20 teams will compete in the 2026 tournament:
| Team | Qualification Path |
|---|---|
| India | Tournament Host |
| Sri Lanka | Tournament Host |
| Afghanistan | Top 7 finish in T20WC 2024 |
| Australia | Top 7 finish in T20WC 2024 |
| Bangladesh | Top 7 finish in T20WC 2024 |
| England | Top 7 finish in T20WC 2024 |
| South Africa | Top 7 finish in T20WC 2024 |
| USA | Top 7 finish in T20WC 2024 |
| West Indies | Top 7 finish in T20WC 2024 |
| Ireland | ICC Men’s T20I Rankings |
| New Zealand | ICC Men’s T20I Rankings |
| Pakistan | ICC Men’s T20I Rankings |
| Canada | Americas Qualifier |
| Italy | Europe Qualifier |
| Netherlands | Europe Qualifier |
| Namibia | Africa Qualifier |
| Zimbabwe | Africa Qualifier |
| Nepal | Asia/EAP Qualifier |
| Oman | Asia/EAP Qualifier |
| UAE | Asia/EAP Qualifier |
Tournament Format
The format remains unchanged from the 2024 edition:
- Group Stage: 4 groups of 5 teams each.
- Super 8s: Top 2 teams from each group advance.
- Knockouts: 2 semi-finals + 1 grand final.
🏅 The Super 8 stage will determine the semifinalists based on points and net run rate.
Tentative Schedule (February–March 2026)
⚠️ Note: This schedule is tentative and subject to ICC approval.
Opening Matches
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 10 | India vs Ireland | 3:00 PM | Ahmedabad |
| Feb 10 | Pakistan vs New Zealand | 7:30 PM | Hyderabad |
| Feb 11 | England vs Afghanistan | 3:00 PM | Kolkata |
| Feb 11 | Australia vs USA | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
Finals Week
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 9 | Semi-Final 1 | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| Mar 10 | Semi-Final 2 | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| Mar 12 | Final | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
Points Table Structure
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Win | 2 |
| Tie / No Result | 1 |
| Loss | 0 |
Teams tied on points will be separated by:
- Net Run Rate (NRR)
- Head-to-head results
- Team ranking pre-tournament
Confirmed Venues in India & Sri Lanka
- Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad 🏟️
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- PCA IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali
- Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
- Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
- R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
India’s Key Matches
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 10 | India vs Ireland | Ahmedabad |
| Feb 14 | India vs TBD | Ahmedabad |
| Feb 21 | India vs Sri Lanka | Delhi |
| Feb 24 | India vs TBD | Ahmedabad |
| Feb 27 | India vs Pakistan | Ahmedabad |
Squad Highlights (Tentative)
India
- Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill.
Pakistan
- Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan.
Australia
- Mitchell Marsh (c), David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa.
England
- Jos Buttler (c), Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer.
Ticket Information
- Starting Price: ₹100 (₹200–₹500 for premium seats)
- Official Ticket Partners: ICC & Paytm Insider
- Sales Begin: December 2025 (Expected)
- Early Access: Through ICC newsletter pre-registration
FAQs on T20 World Cup 2026
Who is hosting the T20 World Cup 2026?
India and Sri Lanka will co-host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
When will the T20 World Cup 2026 be played?
Tentatively from February 10 to March 12, 2026.
How many teams are participating?
A total of 20 teams will compete.
What is the tournament format?
Four groups of five teams → Super 8s → Semifinals → Final.
Which venues will host matches in India?
Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, and Mohali.
Will there be matches in Sri Lanka?
Yes, matches are expected at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
What is the ticket price for the 2026 T20 World Cup?
Starts at ₹100 for early bird categories.
Who are the defending champions?
India, who won the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.
How can fans buy tickets online?
Through the official ICC website or affiliated ticketing platforms like Paytm Insider.
When will team squads be officially announced?
Expected between October–December 2025 by each national cricket board.