ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule: Complete Match Fixtures, All 20 Qualified Teams & Venue Details

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule, Teams, Squads, Live Coverage & Tickets
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Tournament Overview & Format

The T20 World Cup 2026 represents a significant milestone in cricket’s shortest format. This tenth edition expands the tournament to 20 participating teams, creating more opportunities for emerging cricket nations to compete alongside established powerhouses.

  

The tournament structure follows an innovative format designed to maximize excitement and fairness. Teams are divided into four groups of five, ensuring each nation gets substantial playing time while maintaining competitive balance throughout the group stages and also you can get the Schedule.


T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule


DateMatchVenueTime
Sat, 7 FebPakistan vs NetherlandsSSC, Colombo11:00 AM
Sat, 7 FebWest Indies vs BangladeshKolkata3:00 PM
Sat, 7 FebIndia vs USAMumbai7:00 PM
Sun, 8 FebNew Zealand vs AfghanistanChennai11:00 AM
Sun, 8 FebEngland vs NepalMumbai3:00 PM
Sun, 8 FebSri Lanka vs IrelandPremadasa, Colombo7:00 PM
Mon, 9 FebBangladesh vs ItalyKolkata11:00 AM
Mon, 9 FebZimbabwe vs OmanSSC, Colombo3:00 PM
Mon, 9 FebSouth Africa vs CanadaAhmedabad7:00 PM
Tue, 10 FebNetherlands vs NamibiaDelhi11:00 AM
Tue, 10 FebNew Zealand vs UAEChennai3:00 PM
Tue, 10 FebPakistan vs USASSC, Colombo7:00 PM
Wed, 11 FebSouth Africa vs AfghanistanAhmedabad11:00 AM
Wed, 11 FebAustralia vs IrelandPremadasa, Colombo3:00 PM
Wed, 11 FebEngland vs West IndiesMumbai7:00 PM
Thu, 12 FebSri Lanka vs OmanPallekele11:00 AM
Thu, 12 FebNepal vs ItalyMumbai3:00 PM
Thu, 12 FebIndia vs NamibiaDelhi7:00 PM
Fri, 13 FebAustralia vs ZimbabwePremadasa, Colombo11:00 AM
Fri, 13 FebCanada vs UAEDelhi3:00 PM
Fri, 13 FebUSA vs NetherlandsChennai7:00 PM
Sat, 14 FebIreland vs OmanSSC, Colombo11:00 AM
Sat, 14 FebEngland vs BangladeshKolkata3:00 PM
Sat, 14 FebNew Zealand vs South AfricaAhmedabad7:00 PM
Sun, 15 FebWest Indies vs NepalMumbai11:00 AM
Sun, 15 FebUSA vs NamibiaChennai3:00 PM
Sun, 15 FebIndia vs PakistanColombo7:00 PM
Mon, 16 FebUAE vs AfghanistanDelhi11:00 AM
Mon, 16 FebEngland vs ItalyKolkata3:00 PM
Mon, 16 FebAustralia vs Sri LankaPallekele7:00 PM
17 February – 23 February
Tue, 17 FebNew Zealand vs CanadaChennai11:00 AM
Tue, 17 FebIreland vs ZimbabwePallekele3:00 PM
Tue, 17 FebBangladesh vs NepalMumbai7:00 PM
Wed, 18 FebSouth Africa vs UAEDelhi11:00 AM
Wed, 18 FebPakistan vs NamibiaSSC, Colombo3:00 PM
Wed, 18 FebIndia vs NetherlandsAhmedabad7:00 PM
Thu, 19 FebWest Indies vs ItalyKolkata11:00 AM
Thu, 19 FebSri Lanka vs ZimbabwePremadasa, Colombo3:00 PM
Thu, 19 FebAfghanistan vs CanadaChennai7:00 PM
Fri, 20 FebAustralia vs OmanPallekele7:00 PM
Sat, 21 FebSuper 8 – Group 2Colombo7:00 PM
Sun, 22 FebSuper 8 – Group 2Pallekele3:00 PM
Sun, 22 FebSuper 8 – Group 1Ahmedabad7:00 PM
Mon, 23 FebSuper 8 – Group 1Mumbai7:00 PM
24 February – 1 March (Super 8 / Knockouts)
Tue, 24 FebSuper 8 – Group 2Pallekele7:00 PM
Wed, 25 FebSuper 8 – Group 2Colombo7:00 PM
Thu, 26 FebSuper 8 – Group 1Ahmedabad3:00 PM
Thu, 26 FebSuper 8 – Group 1Chennai7:00 PM
Fri, 27 FebSuper 8 – Group 2Colombo7:00 PM
Sat, 28 FebSuper 8 – Group 2Pallekele7:00 PM
Sun, 1 MarSuper 8 – Group 1Delhi3:00 PM
Sun, 1 MarSuper 8 – Group 1Kolkata7:00 PM
KNOCKOUTS
Wed, 4 MarSemi-Final 1Kolkata/Colombo7:00 PM
Thu, 5 MarSemi-Final 2Mumbai7:00 PM
Sun, 8 MarFINALAhmedabad/Premadasa, Colombo7:00 PM
Sat, 7 Feb
Pakistan vs Netherlands
📍 SSC, Colombo 🕐 11:00 AM
Sat, 7 Feb
West Indies vs Bangladesh
📍 Kolkata 🕐 3:00 PM
Sat, 7 Feb
India vs USA
📍 Mumbai 🕐 7:00 PM
Sun, 8 Feb
New Zealand vs Afghanistan
📍 Chennai 🕐 11:00 AM
Sun, 8 Feb
England vs Nepal
📍 Mumbai 🕐 3:00 PM
Sun, 8 Feb
Sri Lanka vs Ireland
📍 Premadasa, Colombo 🕐 7:00 PM
Mon, 9 Feb
Bangladesh vs Italy
📍 Kolkata 🕐 11:00 AM
Mon, 9 Feb
Zimbabwe vs Oman
📍 SSC, Colombo 🕐 3:00 PM
Mon, 9 Feb
South Africa vs Canada
📍 Ahmedabad 🕐 7:00 PM
Tue, 10 Feb
Netherlands vs Namibia
📍 Delhi 🕐 11:00 AM
Tue, 10 Feb
New Zealand vs UAE
📍 Chennai 🕐 3:00 PM
Tue, 10 Feb
Pakistan vs USA
📍 SSC, Colombo 🕐 7:00 PM
Wed, 11 Feb
South Africa vs Afghanistan
📍 Ahmedabad 🕐 11:00 AM
Wed, 11 Feb
Australia vs Ireland
📍 Premadasa, Colombo 🕐 3:00 PM
Wed, 11 Feb
England vs West Indies
📍 Mumbai 🕐 7:00 PM
Thu, 12 Feb
Sri Lanka vs Oman
📍 Pallekele 🕐 11:00 AM
Thu, 12 Feb
Nepal vs Italy
📍 Mumbai 🕐 3:00 PM
Thu, 12 Feb
India vs Namibia
📍 Delhi 🕐 7:00 PM
Fri, 13 Feb
Australia vs Zimbabwe
📍 Premadasa, Colombo 🕐 11:00 AM
Fri, 13 Feb
Canada vs UAE
📍 Delhi 🕐 3:00 PM
Fri, 13 Feb
USA vs Netherlands
📍 Chennai 🕐 7:00 PM
Sat, 14 Feb
Ireland vs Oman
📍 SSC, Colombo 🕐 11:00 AM
Sat, 14 Feb
England vs Bangladesh
📍 Kolkata 🕐 3:00 PM
Sat, 14 Feb
New Zealand vs South Africa
📍 Ahmedabad 🕐 7:00 PM
Sun, 15 Feb
West Indies vs Nepal
📍 Mumbai 🕐 11:00 AM
Sun, 15 Feb
USA vs Namibia
📍 Chennai 🕐 3:00 PM
Sun, 15 Feb
🔥 India vs Pakistan 🔥
📍 Colombo 🕐 7:00 PM
Mon, 16 Feb
UAE vs Afghanistan
📍 Delhi 🕐 11:00 AM
Mon, 16 Feb
England vs Italy
📍 Kolkata 🕐 3:00 PM
Mon, 16 Feb
Australia vs Sri Lanka
📍 Pallekele 🕐 7:00 PM
17 February – 23 February
Tue, 17 Feb
New Zealand vs Canada
📍 Chennai 🕐 11:00 AM
Tue, 17 Feb
Ireland vs Zimbabwe
📍 Pallekele 🕐 3:00 PM
Tue, 17 Feb
Bangladesh vs Nepal
📍 Mumbai 🕐 7:00 PM
Wed, 18 Feb
South Africa vs UAE
📍 Delhi 🕐 11:00 AM
Wed, 18 Feb
Pakistan vs Namibia
📍 SSC, Colombo 🕐 3:00 PM
Wed, 18 Feb
India vs Netherlands
📍 Ahmedabad 🕐 7:00 PM
Thu, 19 Feb
West Indies vs Italy
📍 Kolkata 🕐 11:00 AM
Thu, 19 Feb
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe
📍 Premadasa, Colombo 🕐 3:00 PM
Thu, 19 Feb
Afghanistan vs Canada
📍 Chennai 🕐 7:00 PM
Fri, 20 Feb
Australia vs Oman
📍 Pallekele 🕐 7:00 PM
Sat, 21 Feb
Super 8 – Group 2
📍 Colombo 🕐 7:00 PM
Sun, 22 Feb
Super 8 – Group 2
📍 Pallekele 🕐 3:00 PM
Sun, 22 Feb
Super 8 – Group 1
📍 Ahmedabad 🕐 7:00 PM
Mon, 23 Feb
Super 8 – Group 1
📍 Mumbai 🕐 7:00 PM
24 February – 1 March (Super 8 / Knockouts)
Tue, 24 Feb
Super 8 – Group 2
📍 Pallekele 🕐 7:00 PM
Wed, 25 Feb
Super 8 – Group 2
📍 Colombo 🕐 7:00 PM
Thu, 26 Feb
Super 8 – Group 1
📍 Ahmedabad 🕐 3:00 PM
Thu, 26 Feb
Super 8 – Group 1
📍 Chennai 🕐 7:00 PM
Fri, 27 Feb
Super 8 – Group 2
📍 Colombo 🕐 7:00 PM
Sat, 28 Feb
Super 8 – Group 2
📍 Pallekele 🕐 7:00 PM
Sun, 1 Mar
Super 8 – Group 1
📍 Delhi 🕐 3:00 PM
Sun, 1 Mar
Super 8 – Group 1
📍 Kolkata 🕐 7:00 PM
KNOCKOUTS
Wed, 4 Mar
⭐ Semi-Final 1 ⭐
📍 Kolkata/Colombo 🕐 7:00 PM
Thu, 5 Mar
⭐ Semi-Final 2 ⭐
📍 Mumbai 🕐 7:00 PM
Sun, 8 Mar
🏆 FINAL 🏆
📍 Ahmedabad/Premadasa, Colombo 🕐 7:00 PM
AspectInformation
TournamentICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Edition10th edition
HostsIndia and Sri Lanka
Dates7th February – 8th March 2026
Match FormatTwenty20 (20 overs per side)
StructureGroup Stage (Qualifiers), Super Stage, Knockouts (Semi-finals & Final)
Teams20 participating nations
Qualified NationsIndia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, United States, West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman, UAE
Matches55 in total (group stage, semi-finals & final)
VenuesMultiple stadiums across India and Sri Lanka
Opening MatchFebruary 2026 (exact date TBA)
Final MatchMarch 2026 (exact date & venue TBA)
Official ScheduleTo be announced by ICC (expected DEC 2025)
Live CoverageLive scores & updates throughout the tournament
Points TableUpdated after every match (T20 World Cup 2026 standings)

Competition Structure Breakdown

StageTeamsMatches Per TeamAdvancement
Group Stage20 (4 groups of 5)4 matchesTop 2 from each group
Super 88 teams3 matchesTop 4 teams
Semi-Finals4 teams1 matchWinners advance
Final2 teams1 matchChampion decided

The group stage promises intense competition as teams battle for crucial qualification spots. Only the top two teams from each group advance to the Super 8 stage, where the margin for error becomes razor-thin.

Teams locked in for T20 World Cup 2026

TeamQualification Path
IndiaTournament Hosts
Sri LankaTournament Hosts
AfghanistanTop 7 finish T20WC 2024
AustraliaTop 7 finish T20WC 2024
BangladeshTop 7 finish T20WC 2024
EnglandTop 7 finish T20WC 2024
South AfricaTop 7 finish T20WC 2024
USATop 7 finish T20WC 2024
West IndiesTop 7 finish T20WC 2024
IrelandICC Men’s T20 Team Rankings
New ZealandICC Men’s T20 Team Rankings
PakistanICC Men’s T20 Team Rankings
CanadaAmericas Qualifier
ItalyEurope Qualifier
NetherlandsEurope Qualifier
NamibiaAfrica Qualifier
ZimbabweAfrica Qualifier
NepalAsia/EAP Qualifier
OmanAsia/EAP Qualifier
UAEAsia/EAP Qualifier

T20 World Cup 2026 All Teams Fixtures (Part 1: Groups A & B)

(India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman) All timings are IST.

GROUP A

1. India

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 7SatUSAMumbai6:30 PM
Feb 12ThuNamibiaDelhi6:30 PM
Feb 15SunPakistanColombo6:30 PM
Feb 18WedNetherlandsAhmedabad6:30 PM

2. Pakistan

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 7SatNetherlandsColombo10:30 AM
Feb 10TueUSAColombo6:30 PM
Feb 15SunIndiaColombo6:30 PM
Feb 18WedNamibiaColombo2:30 PM

3. USA

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 7SatIndiaMumbai6:30 PM
Feb 10TuePakistanColombo6:30 PM
Feb 13FriNetherlandsChennai6:30 PM
Feb 15SunNamibiaChennai2:30 PM

4. Netherlands

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 7SatPakistanColombo10:30 AM
Feb 10TueNamibiaDelhi10:30 AM
Feb 13FriUSAChennai6:30 PM
Feb 18WedIndiaAhmedabad6:30 PM

5. Namibia

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 10TueNetherlandsDelhi10:30 AM
Feb 12ThuIndiaDelhi6:30 PM
Feb 15SunUSAChennai2:30 PM
Feb 18WedPakistanColombo2:30 PM

GROUP B

6. Sri Lanka

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 8SunIrelandColombo6:30 PM
Feb 12ThuOmanPallekele10:30 AM
Feb 16MonAustraliaPallekele6:30 PM
Feb 19ThuZimbabweColombo2:30 PM

7. Australia

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 11WedIrelandColombo2:30 PM
Feb 13FriZimbabweColombo10:30 AM
Feb 16MonSri LankaPallekele6:30 PM
Feb 20FriOmanPallekele6:30 PM

8. Zimbabwe

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 9MonOmanColombo2:30 PM
Feb 13FriAustraliaColombo10:30 AM
Feb 17TueIrelandPallekele2:30 PM
Feb 19ThuSri LankaColombo2:30 PM

9. Ireland

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 8SunSri LankaColombo6:30 PM
Feb 11WedAustraliaColombo2:30 PM
Feb 14SatOmanColombo10:30 AM
Feb 17TueZimbabwePallekele2:30 PM

10. Oman

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 9MonZimbabweColombo2:30 PM
Feb 12ThuSri LankaPallekele10:30 AM
Feb 14SatIrelandColombo10:30 AM
Feb 20FriAustraliaPallekele6:30 PM

T20 World Cup 2026 All Teams Fixtures (Part 2: Groups C & D)

(England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy, South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, Canada) All timings are IST.

GROUP C

1. England

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 8SunNepalMumbai2:30 PM
Feb 11WedWest IndiesMumbai6:30 PM
Feb 14SatBangladeshKolkata2:30 PM
Feb 16MonItalyKolkata2:30 PM

2. West Indies

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 7SatBangladeshKolkata2:30 PM
Feb 11WedEnglandMumbai6:30 PM
Feb 15SunNepalMumbai10:30 AM
Feb 19ThuItalyKolkata10:30 AM

3. Bangladesh

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 7SatWest IndiesKolkata2:30 PM
Feb 9MonItalyKolkata10:30 AM
Feb 14SatEnglandKolkata2:30 PM
Feb 17TueNepalMumbai6:30 PM

4. Nepal

DateOpponentTimeVenue
February 8, 2026England2:30 PMMumbai
February 12, 2026Italy2:30 PMMumbai
February 15, 2026West Indies10:30 AMMumbai
February 17, 2026Bangladesh6:30 PMMumbai

5. Italy

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 9MonBangladeshKolkata10:30 AM
Feb 12ThuNepalMumbai2:30 PM
Feb 16MonEnglandKolkata2:30 PM
Feb 19ThuWest IndiesKolkata10:30 AM

GROUP D

6. South Africa

Feb 9MonCanadaAhmedabad6:30 PM
Feb 11WedAfghanistanAhmedabad10:30 AM
Feb 14SatNew ZealandAhmedabad6:30 PM
Feb 18WedUnited Arab EmiratesDelhi10:30 AM

7. New Zealand

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 8SunAfghanistanChennai10:30 AM
Feb 10TueUAEChennai2:30 PM
Feb 14SatSouth AfricaAhmedabad6:30 PM
Feb 17TueCanadaChennai10:30 AM

8. Afghanistan

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 8SunNew ZealandChennai10:30 AM
Feb 11WedSouth AfricaAhmedabad10:30 AM
Feb 16MonUAEDelhi10:30 AM
Feb 19ThuCanadaChennai6:30 PM

9. UAE

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 10TueNew ZealandChennai2:30 PM
Feb 13FriCanadaDelhi2:30 PM
Feb 16MonAfghanistanDelhi10:30 AM
Feb 18WedSouth AfricaDelhi10:30 AM

10. Canada

DateDayOpponentVenueTime
Feb 9MonSouth AfricaAhmedabad6:30 PM
Feb 13FriUAEDelhi2:30 PM
Feb 17TueNew ZealandChennai10:30 AM
Feb 19ThuAfghanistanChennai6:30 PM

Participating Teams & Qualification Pathways

The road to the T20 World Cup 2026 has reached its conclusion, with all 20 teams now confirmed through multiple qualification routes that ensured global representation while maintaining competitive standards. The final lineup combines automatic qualifiers with regional champions, creating a truly international tournament that showcases cricket’s expanding reach.

Automatic Qualifiers

Host Nations: India and Sri Lanka secured automatic qualification as co-hosts, bringing their passionate fan bases and rich cricket heritage to center stage.

Top Performers from 2024: Seven teams earned their spots based on exceptional performances in the previous T20 World Cup, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, United States, and West Indies.

ICC Rankings Qualifiers: Pakistan, New Zealand, and Ireland claimed their positions through consistent excellence in ICC T20I rankings as of the qualification deadline.

Regional Qualification Champions

The remaining spots were filled through fiercely competitive regional tournaments that delivered thrilling cricket across continents:

  • Americas Region: Canada emerged victorious, representing North American cricket’s growth
  • European Region: Italy and Netherlands secured qualification through intense European competition
  • African Region: Zimbabwe and Namibia proved their dominance in African cricket
  • Asia-East Asia Pacific: Nepal, Oman, and UAE completed the lineup from the region’s qualifier

This comprehensive qualification system successfully delivered representation from every cricket-playing region while ensuring only the strongest teams reached the main event.

Complete 20-Team Lineup

India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, United States, West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman, UAE


Tournament Format & Schedule Framework

While the official fixture list awaits final ICC confirmation, the tournament timeline spans June to July 2026. This period offers ideal playing conditions across both host nations, with favorable weather patterns and minimal disruption from monsoons.

Tournament Structure

Group Stage Phase: The 20 teams will be divided into groups, with each side playing multiple matches across various venues in India and Sri Lanka. This phase determines which teams advance based on points, net run rate, and head-to-head records.

Super 8/12 Stage: Qualified teams regroup for an intensified round-robin phase where every match carries championship implications and the margin for error vanishes completely.

Knockout Phase: Semi-finals and the grand final will be staged at premier venues, creating electric atmospheres as cricket’s best battle for ultimate glory under pressure-cooker conditions.

Venue selection carefully considers capacity, world-class infrastructure, and geographical distribution to maximize fan accessibility while delivering broadcast-quality excellence for the global audience watching from home.

ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Official Broadcasting Partners & Streaming Platforms

The cricket world is gearing up for the biggest T20 spectacle, and fans everywhere want to know where they can catch all the action. The International Cricket Council has finalized broadcasting deals with major networks across the globe, ensuring comprehensive coverage of this mega tournament. Whether you prefer watching on television or streaming online, there’s a viewing option tailored for every cricket enthusiast worldwide.

Global Television Broadcasting Partners

RegionPrimary BroadcastersAdditional Channels / Coverage
India & SubcontinentStar Sports NetworkStar Sports 1-3 (HD/SD), Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada variants
PakistanPTV Sports, ASports HDPTV Home, PTV National, Ten Sports HD
United KingdomSky SportsSky Sports Cricket, Main Event, Action
AustraliaAmazon Prime VideoExclusive digital coverage
BangladeshNagorik TVNational broadcaster
Sri LankaTV1, Sirasa TVShakti TV
South AfricaSuperSportSS Cricket, Grandstand, Action variants
New ZealandSky SportSky Sport 1-4 channels
CaribbeanESPN NetworkESPN Caribbean, ESPN2 Caribbean
USA & CanadaWillow TVWillow Xtra (USA exclusive)

Regional Broadcasting Coverage

African Nations Coverage

SuperSport dominates the African broadcasting landscape, covering over 40 countries including major markets like Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Zimbabwe. The network provides comprehensive cricket coverage through multiple dedicated sports channels.

Middle East & North Africa

StarzPlay holds exclusive rights across MENA regions, covering countries from Morocco to Yemen. This includes major markets like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar.

European Coverage

Apart from the UK’s Sky Sports deal, Netherlands receives coverage through NOS, while other European nations can access matches via ICC.tv platform.

Major Broadcasting Networks for T20 World Cup 2026

SuperSport Africa

SuperSport dominates cricket coverage across Sub-Saharan Africa, serving over 45 countries from Nigeria to Zimbabwe. The network provides comprehensive tournament coverage through multiple dedicated sports channels for the entire African continent.

StarzPlay Middle East

StarzPlay holds exclusive broadcasting rights across 21 Middle Eastern and North African nations, including major markets like UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The platform ensures complete tournament access for MENA region cricket enthusiasts.

ESPN Caribbean

ESPN serves as the primary broadcaster for 11 Caribbean nations, from Jamaica to Trinidad & Tobago. The network’s extensive reach covers all major Caribbean cricket markets with comprehensive live coverage.

PTV Sports Pakistan

Pakistan’s national broadcaster PTV Sports offers completely free tournament coverage across terrestrial, cable, and satellite networks. Pakistani viewers can enjoy all matches without any subscription fees through this accessible platform.

ASports HD Pakistan

Pakistan’s first HD sports channel provides premium quality tournament coverage since 2021. ASports delivers crystal-clear HD broadcasting through Asia Sat and cable networks for enhanced viewing experience.

Star Sports India

India’s leading sports broadcaster covers the tournament across multiple channels with Hindi, English, and regional language commentary. Star Sports provides both standard and HD coverage through its extensive network spanning the entire subcontinent.

Willow TV North America

Willow TV serves as the exclusive broadcaster for USA, Canada, and associated territories including Puerto Rico and Guam. The platform offers both television and digital streaming options for North American cricket fans.Mobile & Web Access

Cricket fans can enjoy matches on various digital platforms:

  • Hotstar: Dominates the Indian subcontinent market
  • ICC.tv: Serves as the global fallback option
  • Regional apps: Country-specific mobile applications
  • Broadcaster websites: Direct streaming from official partners

The tournament’s broadcasting strategy ensures that cricket enthusiasts across six continents can follow their favorite teams throughout the competition. From traditional television viewing to modern streaming solutions, the coverage plan accommodates different viewing preferences and technological capabilities worldwide.

Digital Streaming Platforms

Country / RegionPrimary Streaming ServiceAlternative Options
IndiaDisney+ HotstarMobile app available
PakistanMyco, TamashaLocal streaming platforms
USA / CanadaWillow TVCricBuzz highlights
AustraliaPrime VideoAmazon’s exclusive deal
UKSky Sports AppSky Go streaming
CaribbeanESPN Play CaribbeanRegional streaming
BangladeshBanglalinkTelecom-based streaming
New ZealandSky Sport NowSky Go alternative

Free-to-Air Coverage

Several countries offer free television coverage, making the tournament accessible to broader audiences:

  • Pakistan: PTV Sports provides completely free coverage
  • Netherlands: NOS offers free broadcasting
  • Selected African nations: Some SuperSport channels available on free-to-air

Digital Streaming Revolution

Team Squads & Player Selection

Squad announcements generate massive interest as selectors balance experience with emerging talent. Each team can name up to 15 players, with the flexibility to make changes due to injuries or form concerns.


Key Selection Considerations

Form and Fitness: Recent performances in domestic and international cricket heavily influence selection decisions.

Conditions Expertise: Experience playing in subcontinental conditions becomes crucial, particularly for visiting teams.

Team Balance: Selectors must balance batting depth, bowling variety, and fielding excellence.

Leadership Qualities: Captaincy decisions can significantly impact team dynamics and tactical approaches.

Squad compositions will be finalized closer to the tournament, allowing teams to assess player form and fitness levels accurately.

Ticketing & Fan Experience

Cricket enthusiasts eagerly await ticketing information for the T20 World Cup 2026. Both India and Sri Lanka boast passionate cricket cultures, promising electric atmospheres at every venue.

Ticketing Platforms & Availability

India: Major platforms like BookMyShow, Paytm, and Insider will handle ticket sales, offering various categories from general admission to premium hospitality packages.

Sri Lanka: Official Sri Lankan Cricket partners will manage local ticket distribution, ensuring fair access for domestic fans.


Stadium Experience Enhancement

Venues are preparing enhanced fan experiences with:

  • Improved food and beverage options
  • Interactive fan zones
  • Merchandise stalls
  • Meet-and-greet opportunities
  • Digital engagement activities

Early bird pricing and group discounts are expected to make matches accessible to diverse fan segments.

Historical Context & Tournament Legacy

The T20 World Cup has evolved dramatically since its 2007 inception in South Africa. Each edition has contributed unique moments and memories to cricket folklore, establishing the tournament as a cornerstone of international cricket.

Tournament Evolution Timeline

2007
The Beginning: India’s victory over Pakistan in the inaugural final set the template for T20 cricket’s global appeal.
2009-2010
Pakistan and England claimed successive titles, demonstrating the format’s unpredictable nature.
2012-2016
West Indies emerged as T20 specialists, winning twice with explosive batting displays.
2021-2022
 Australia and England’s recent victories showcased tactical evolution and strategic depth.

Record Holders & Statistical Milestones

The T20 World Cup has witnessed numerous record-breaking performances:

Leading Run Scorers:

  • Virat Kohli (India): 1,141 runs across multiple tournaments
  • Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka): 1,016 runs with consistent performances
  • Chris Gayle (West Indies): 965 runs including memorable centuries

Top Wicket Takers:

  • Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): 47 wickets with spin mastery
  • Shahid Afridi (Pakistan): 39 wickets through aggressive bowling
  • Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka): 38 wickets with unique yorker skills

Memorable Tournament Moments

T20 World Cup history overflows with unforgettable moments that transcend cricket boundaries. These instances define the tournament’s appeal and emotional connection with global audiences.

Iconic Performances

2007: MS Dhoni’s calm captaincy guided India to inaugural glory, while Chris Gayle’s century against South Africa announced T20 cricket’s entertainment value.

2016: Carlos Brathwaite’s four consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes in the final over created one of cricket’s most dramatic conclusions.

2022: England’s comprehensive victory demonstrated tactical sophistication and team depth in modern T20 cricket.

These moments inspire new generations of cricketers and fans, ensuring the tournament’s continued growth and relevance.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Winners List & Hosts

YearHostWinnerRunner-UpFormatFinal Venue
2007South AfricaIndiaPakistanT20Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
2009EnglandPakistanSri LankaT20Lord’s, London
2010West IndiesEnglandAustraliaT20Kensington Oval, Bridgetown
2012Sri LankaWest IndiesSri LankaT20R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
2014BangladeshSri LankaIndiaT20Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
2016IndiaWest IndiesEnglandT20Eden Gardens, Kolkata
2021UAE & OmanAustraliaNew ZealandT20Dubai International Stadium
2022AustraliaEnglandPakistanT20Melbourne Cricket Ground
2024West Indies & USAIndiaSouth AfricaT20Kensington Oval, Bridgetown

Strategic Venue Selection

India and Sri Lanka offer diverse playing conditions that will test every aspect of team preparation. Venue selection balances geographical spread with infrastructure quality and fan accessibility.

  

Indian Venues Characteristics

Northern Venues: Cooler temperatures and potentially slower pitches favor spin bowling and strategic batting.

Western Venues: Modern facilities and excellent drainage systems ensure consistent playing conditions.

Southern Venues: Traditional cricket strongholds with passionate local support and proven tournament hosting experience.

Sri Lankan Venue Advantages

Colombo: Premier cricket infrastructure with international broadcasting facilities.

Kandy: Unique mountain setting creating distinctive playing conditions and atmospheric experiences.Galle: Historic venue with challenging conditions that reward skillful cricket over power hitting.

Points Table & Ranking System

The tournament employs a transparent points system ensuring fair competition and clear advancement criteria. Teams earn two points for victories, one point for no-result matches, and zero points for defeats.

Net run rate serves as the primary tiebreaker, encouraging aggressive cricket and reducing defensive tactics. This system has consistently produced exciting matches where teams must balance victory pursuit with run rate management.

Advancement Scenarios

Group stage qualification requires finishing among the top two teams in each group. This creates multiple scenarios where final group matches carry enormous significance for advancement hopes.

Super 8 stage intensifies competition further, as teams face opponents from other groups, creating fresh matchups and tactical challenges.

T20 World Cup 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

When is the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled?

The T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled for 7 February- 8 March 2026. Official dates will be announced by the ICC, with matches planned during optimal weather conditions across both host nations.

Which countries are hosting the T20 World Cup 2026?

India and Sri Lanka will jointly host the tournament. Both nations bring extensive experience in organizing major cricket events and passionate cricket cultures to ensure a memorable championship.

How many teams will participate in T20 World Cup 2026?

Twenty teams will compete, making it the largest T20 World Cup ever. This expansion includes more Associate nations, providing greater global representation and development opportunities.

Where can I buy T20 World Cup 2026 tickets?

Tickets will be available through official ICC partners, online booking platforms in India and Sri Lanka, and stadium box offices. Multiple price categories will cater to different budget preferences.

Which TV channels will broadcast T20 World Cup 2026 live?

Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar will broadcast in India, Sky Sports in the UK, Fox Sports in Australia, and various regional broadcasters worldwide will provide comprehensive live coverage.

What venues will host T20 World Cup 2026 matches?

Major cricket stadiums across India and Sri Lanka will host matches, including iconic venues like Eden Gardens, Wankhede Stadium, R. Premadasa Stadium, and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Which teams have qualified for T20 World Cup 2026?

All 20 teams are confirmed: hosts India and Sri Lanka, 7 teams from the 2024 T20 World Cup (Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, USA, West Indies), 3 ICC Rankings qualifiers (Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan), 3 regional winners (Canada, Netherlands, Italy), and 5 from recent qualifiers (Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman, UAE).

Will there be any format changes in T20 World Cup 2026?

The tournament will likely follow the traditional T20 format with potential group stage modifications to accommodate 20 teams. The ICC will announce specific tournament structure details closer to the event.