Hosts: India and Sri Lanka
Dates: February 7 to March 8, 2026
Total Teams: 20 teams divided into four groups
Total Matches: 55 matches across eight venues
Format: Group Stage (Feb 7–20), Super 8 Stage (Feb 21 – March 1), and Knockout Stage (Semi-finals and Final).
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is the tenth edition of the tournament, marking a major return to the cricket-passionate subcontinent. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the event is scheduled to run from February 7 to March 8, 2026.
Expanded Format and Structure
The tournament features 20 teams competing in a total of 55 matches. The structure consists of three distinct phases:
- Group Stage (Feb 7–20): 20 teams are split into four groups of five. Each team plays four round-robin matches. On most days, fans can expect three matches at 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 7:00 PM IST.
- Super 8 Stage (Feb 21 – March 1): The top two teams from each group advance to this round-robin phase. Teams are placed into two groups of four based on pre-tournament seedings, regardless of their group stage finishing position.
- Knockout Stage (March 4–8): The top four sides from the Super 8s qualify for the semi-finals, leading to the grand final.
Venues and Hosting Agreement
Matches will be held across eight world-class stadiums—five in India and three in Sri Lanka:
- India: Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), and Eden Gardens (Kolkata).
- Sri Lanka: R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club (Colombo), and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy).
Notably, due to an agreement between the BCCI and PCB, all Pakistan matches will be played in Sri Lanka. This includes potential semi-final and final shifts: if Pakistan qualifies, their semi-final will move to Colombo instead of Kolkata, and the final will shift from Ahmedabad to Colombo.
Key Highlights and Teams
- Defending Champions: India starts their title defense on opening night (Feb 7) against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
- The Big Rivalry: The high-stakes India vs. Pakistan group match is scheduled for February 15 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
- New Contenders: Italy will make its first-ever appearance in an ICC world event, placed in “Group C,” which has been labeled the “Group of Death” by experts.
- Brand Ambassador: Rohit Sharma, India’s 2024 title-winning captain, has been officially named the tournament’s brand ambassador.