The much-anticipated ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is just around the corner — a thrilling cricket spectacle featuring 20 teams from across the globe, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The tournament promises high-voltage thrills, nail-biting finishes and unforgettable moments. For fans worldwide, knowing the full T20 World Cup 2026 schedule — match dates, venues, teams — is essential. This post lays out everything you need to know, along with a look at groupings, knockout stages and key fixtures.
Tournament Overview & Format
- The 2026 edition marks the 10th edition of the Men’s T20 World Cup.
- Scheduled from 7 February to 8 March 2026.
- 20 international teams will participate.
- The format includes a Group Stage, followed by Super 8s, then Semi-finals and the Final.
Host Venues & Co-Hosts
The tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with a total of eight venues across both countries.
Venues in India:
- Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad)
- Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai)
- MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai)
- Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi)
- Eden Gardens (Kolkata)
Venues in Sri Lanka:
- R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo)
- Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (Colombo)
- Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy)
Group Stage: Teams & Groupings
Here is how the teams are grouped for the Group Stage:
- 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
From each group, the top two teams will advance to the Super 8 stage.
Full ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Date | Time (IST) | Match | Venue (City) |
| Sat, 7 February | 11:00 AM | Pakistan vs Netherlands | SSC, Colombo |
| 3:00 PM | West Indies vs Bangladesh | Kolkata | |
| 7:00 PM | India vs USA | Mumbai | |
| Sun, 8 February | 11:00 AM | New Zealand vs Afghanistan | Chennai |
| 3:00 PM | England vs Nepal | Mumbai | |
| 7:00 PM | Sri Lanka vs Ireland | Premadasa, Colombo | |
| Mon, 9 February | 11:00 AM | Bangladesh vs Italy | Kolkata |
| 3:00 PM | Zimbabwe vs Oman | SSC, Colombo | |
| 7:00 PM | South Africa vs Canada | Ahmedabad | |
| Tue, 10 February | 11:00 AM | Namibia vs Netherlands | Delhi |
| 3:00 PM | New Zealand vs UAE | Chennai | |
| 7:00 PM | Pakistan vs USA | SSC, Colombo | |
| Wed, 11 February | 11:00 AM | South Africa vs Afghanistan | Kolkata |
| 3:00 PM | Australia vs Zimbabwe | Premadasa, Colombo | |
| 7:00 PM | England vs West Indies | Mumbai | |
| Thu, 12 February | 11:00 AM | Ireland vs Oman | Kandy |
| 3:00 PM | Nepal vs Italy | Premadasa, Colombo | |
| 7:00 PM | India vs Namibia | Delhi | |
| Fri, 13 February | 11:00 AM | Canada vs UAE | Delhi |
| 3:00 PM | New Zealand vs Netherlands | Chennai | |
| 7:00 PM | Australia vs Ireland | Premadasa, Colombo | |
| Sat, 14 February | 11:00 AM | Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka | SSC, Colombo |
| 3:00 PM | England vs Bangladesh | Kolkata | |
| 7:00 PM | West Indies vs South Africa | Chennai | |
| Sun, 15 February | 11:00 AM | Namibia vs USA | Mumbai |
| 3:00 PM | Nepal vs Italy | Kandy | |
| 7:00 PM | India vs Pakistan | Premadasa, Colombo | |
| Mon, 16 February | 11:00 AM | Afghanistan vs UAE | Delhi |
| 3:00 PM | Australia vs Sri Lanka | Kandy | |
| 7:00 PM | New Zealand vs South Africa | Ahmedabad | |
| Tue, 17 February | 11:00 AM | Zimbabwe vs Ireland | Premadasa, Colombo |
| 3:00 PM | Bangladesh vs Nepal | Mumbai | |
| 7:00 PM | West Indies vs Italy | Kolkata | |
| Wed, 18 February | 11:00 AM | Pakistan vs Namibia | SSC, Colombo |
| 3:00 PM | India vs Netherlands | Ahmedabad | |
| 7:00 PM | Afghanistan vs Canada | Chennai | |
| Thu, 19 February | 11:00 AM | Sri Lanka vs Oman | Kandy |
| 3:00 PM | England vs Italy | Premadasa, Colombo | |
| 7:00 PM | Australia vs Oman | Delhi | |
| Fri, 20 February | 11:00 AM | Afghanistan vs South Africa | Chennai |
| 3:00 PM | USA vs Netherlands | Kolkata | |
| 7:00 PM | Zimbabwe vs Ireland | Premadasa, Colombo |
Knockout Stage (Tentative — based on group/super-8 outcomes)
| Date | Match | Venue |
| Sat, 21 February | X1 vs X2 | Premadasa, Colombo |
| Sat, 21 February | X3 vs X4 | Kandy |
| Sun, 22 February | X1 vs X3 | Mumbai |
| Sun, 22 February | X2 vs X4 | Kandy |
| Mon, 23 February | X3 vs X4 | Premadasa, Colombo |
| Mon, 23 February | X1 vs X2 | Mumbai |
| Wed, 4 March | Semi-Final 1 | Kolkata / SSC, Colombo |
| Thu, 5 March | Semi-Final 2 | Mumbai |
| Sun, 8 March | Final | Ahmedabad / Premadasa, Colombo* |
* Final venue will be Ahmedabad, unless Pakistan national cricket team qualifies — in that case, it may shift to Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Initial Fixtures & Key Matches
The tournament kicks off on 7 February 2026. On day one:
- Pakistan national cricket team vs Netherlands national cricket team at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo.
- West Indies cricket team vs Bangladesh national cricket team at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
- India national cricket team vs United States national cricket team at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
One of the most eagerly awaited clashes — India national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team — will take place on 15 February 2026 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Super 8s, Semi-Finals & Final: What’s Next
After the Group Stage, the tournament moves into the Super 8 phase, with the top 8 teams competing for a spot in the semis.
The semi-finals and final will be hosted largely in India — with the final slated at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
There’s also a contingency: if certain teams (for example, involving Sri Lanka or Pakistan) make it to the final — venues in Sri Lanka could host key knockout matches.
What This Means for Cricket Fans Worldwide?
- With 20 teams — a mix of cricket powerhouses and emerging nations — the 2026 World Cup offers a platform for surprises.
- For fans in India, this is a golden opportunity to see marquee matches live at iconic stadiums like Wankhede, Eden Gardens and the Narendra Modi Stadium.
- Neutral-venue matches (e.g. involving teams from Pakistan or Sri Lanka) add a unique dimension — blending sporting competition with diplomatic sensitivity.
- For global fans, this tournament promises a treat: 55 matches over a month, offering nonstop entertainment, upsets, and classic T20 thrillers.
How to Stay Updated & Plan Ahead
- The official schedule was released by International Cricket Council (ICC) in November 2025.
- As match dates, venues or groups could see changes based on logistics or international developments — it’s wise to check ICC’s official channels regularly.
- If you plan to attend matches in India or Sri Lanka, consider travel/lodging arrangements early — demand is likely to surge once tickets go on sale.
Who Has Won the Most T20 World Cup Trophies?
- India national cricket team — 2 titles (2007, 2024)
- West Indies national cricket team — 2 titles (2012, 2016)
- England national cricket team — 2 titles (2010, 2022)
All three — India, West Indies, and England — are tied for the most, each having won the T20 World Cup twice
| Team | Number of T20 WC Titles | Winning Years |
| India | 2 | 2007, 2024 |
| West Indies | 2 | 2012, 2016 |
| England | 2 | 2010, 2022 |
| Others (single-time winners) | 1 each | Pakistan national cricket team (2009), Sri Lanka national cricket team (2014), Australia national cricket team (2021) ( |
Who Has been Named as the ICC 2026 T20 World Cup Ambassador?
The official ambassador for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has been named as Rohit Sharma.
Key details
- Rohit Sharma was appointed “tournament ambassador” (or “brand ambassador”) when the 2026 T20 World Cup schedule was unveiled. (
- The 2026 edition is scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
- Rohit’s long and successful legacy in T20 — including being part of the 2007 and 2024 winning teams — was cited as a major reason for selecting him as ambassador.
Conclusion
The T20 World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest editions of men’s T20 cricket — blending tradition, fervent rivalries, global outreach, and the sheer unpredictability of T20. From 7 February to 8 March, fans across continents will witness cricketing fireworks, legendary duels and possibly the emergence of a new champion. Whether you’re cheering at home, streaming online, or watching live from the stands — this World Cup promises moments that will be deeply etched in cricketing history.
FAQs
When will the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 begin?
The T20 World Cup 2026 will start on 7 February 2026 and conclude on 8 March 2026. The month-long tournament features 55 matches across India and Sri Lanka.
How many teams are participating in the 2026 T20 World Cup?
A total of 20 teams will compete in this edition. These teams are divided into four groups of five, followed by the Super 8 stage, semi-finals, and the final.
Who are the co-hosts of the T20 World Cup 2026?
The tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Key venues include Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Colombo, and Kandy.
When is the India vs Pakistan match scheduled?
The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash is scheduled for 15 February 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Who has been announced as the official ambassador for the T20 World Cup 2026?
Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the official ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Ambassador, honoring his remarkable legacy in T20 cricket.
Which team has won the most T20 World Cup titles?
Three teams share the record for the most T20 World Cup titles — India (2007, 2024), West Indies (2012, 2016), and England (2010, 2022) — each with two titles.
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