ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour 2026 Launches with Historic Ram Setu Paramotor Flight

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour has officially kicked off with one of the most spectacular launches in cricket history. On December 16, 2025, the coveted trophy took flight over Adam’s Bridge, known culturally as Ram Setu, marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey across Asia ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.

This symbolic location, connecting India and Sri Lanka, couldn’t be more perfect for launching the trophy tour of a tournament co-hosted by these two cricket-crazy nations. The 10th edition of this global cricket spectacle promises 29 days of explosive action featuring 20 teams battling it out from February 7 to March 8, 2026.

A Launch Like No Other: Trophy Soars Over Ram Setu

Picture this: a two-seater paramotor ascending into the clear sky, carrying the iconic T20 World Cup trophy against the stunning backdrop of India’s southern coastline. The flight traced the shimmering limestone shoals of Adam’s Bridge, reaching the farthest authorized point before circling back with breathtaking aerial visuals.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah captured the moment’s significance perfectly: “Launching the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour with DP World above the Ram Setu, a site steeped in history, symbolism and shared cultural identity, sets an inspiring tone as we build towards this landmark event.”

This wasn’t just about moving a trophy from point A to point B. It represents something far deeper—a unifying journey bringing continents, cultures, and cricket communities together.

What Makes This Trophy Tour Special?

The Trophy Tour with DP World isn’t your standard promotional roadshow. Here’s what sets it apart:

Geographic Coverage:

• India (multiple cities across five venues)
• Sri Lanka (Colombo and Kandy)
• Qatar
• Oman
• Nepal
• Bahrain
• Mongolia

This extensive route ensures millions of cricket fans across Asia get up close and personal with the silverware that every team dreams of lifting.

Unique Fan Engagement Initiatives

The tour features several innovative elements designed to maximize fan interaction:

Campus Connections: The trophy will visit schools and colleges associated with players participating in the tournament. Imagine being a young cricket fan and seeing the World Cup trophy at your own school—that’s the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience the ICC is creating.

Cricket Carnivals: Full-scale celebrations of the sport’s energy and inclusivity, bringing the cricket festival atmosphere to local communities.

Public Activations: Interactive experiences where fans can take photos, participate in cricket-themed activities, and feel connected to the upcoming tournament.

League Integrations: The trophy will make appearances at major T20 leagues and select bilateral series, keeping the momentum building right up to February.

Tournament Details You Need to Know

The complete schedule reveals an action-packed 29 days of cricket that will keep fans glued to their screens. Here’s what you can expect:

The Magnificent Eight Venues

India will host matches at:

• Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
• MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
• Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Sri Lanka’s contribution includes:

• R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
• Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, Colombo
• Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

Each venue brings its own character, history, and passionate fan base to create an unforgettable tournament atmosphere.

Why Ram Setu Was the Perfect Launch Location

The choice of Adam’s Bridge (Ram Setu) for the trophy launch carries deep symbolic meaning. This natural limestone bridge connecting India and Sri Lanka represents more than just a geographical feature—it’s a cultural landmark revered in both nations.

Devajit Saikia, Honorary Secretary of BCCI, emphasized: “India has successfully hosted two 50-over World Cups in the last three years, and we are delighted to welcome fans to yet another world-class event. This edition will showcase the extraordinary growth and depth of the T20 format in India.”

Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva added: “Our commitment is to deliver an exceptional tournament experience, one that reflects the passion of our supporters, the vibrancy of our culture and the energy of our venues.”

Following the Trophy’s Journey

Cricket fans worldwide can track every stop of the trophy tour through the official social media platform @icctrophytour. From campus visits to cricket carnivals, every moment will be documented and shared, allowing global audiences to participate virtually even if they can’t attend in person.

What This Means for Cricket Fans

This trophy tour represents more than promotional marketing—it’s about building genuine connections between fans and the tournament. The ICC understands that the excitement for a World Cup doesn’t start on match day; it builds over months through experiences like these.

Key Benefits for Fans:

• Chance to see the actual World Cup trophy up close
• Participate in interactive cricket experiences
• Feel connected to the global tournament
• Create personal memories before the action begins
• Engage with cricket communities across multiple countries

For the latest updates on the trophy tour stops and tournament preparations, fans should stay tuned to official ICC channels and dedicated T20 World Cup 2026 platforms.

The Road Ahead

As the trophy embarks on its Asian journey, anticipation continues building for what promises to be one of the most competitive T20 World Cups ever. With 20 teams competing, the expanded format ensures more nations get their shot at glory while maintaining the tournament’s high standards.

The February 7 opener between Pakistan and Netherlands will set the stage, with defending champions India facing the USA later that same day in Mumbai. From there, the tournament intensifies with group stages, Super Eight rounds, and ultimately the crowning of a new world champion on March 8.

Looking Forward

The spectacular paramotor launch over Ram Setu has set the perfect tone for what’s coming. This trophy tour isn’t just about displaying silverware—it’s about igniting passion, creating memories, and uniting cricket lovers across continents.

As Jay Shah said, “With every stop, the Trophy Tour will heighten the sense of anticipation and invite fans across the world to join us in celebrating what promises to be an unforgettable ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”

The journey has begun. The trophy is traveling. The countdown to February 7, 2026 is on.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 start? The tournament begins on February 7, 2026, with the opening match between Pakistan and Netherlands, followed by India vs USA in Mumbai.

Which countries will the trophy tour visit? The trophy will travel across India, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Oman, Nepal, Bahrain, and Mongolia, with various fan engagement activities at each location.

How many teams are participating in T20 World Cup 2026? A total of 20 teams will compete in the tournament, divided into groups with matches spanning 29 days across eight venues.

Where can I follow the trophy tour updates? Fans can track the trophy tour journey through the official social media platform @icctrophytour for real-time updates and behind-the-scenes content.

What venues will host matches in India and Sri Lanka? India will host at five venues (Ahmedabad, Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata), while Sri Lanka has three venues (two in Colombo and one in Kandy).

Can fans interact with the trophy during the tour? Yes, the tour includes campus visits, fan meets, public activations, and cricket carnivals where fans can see the trophy up close and participate in interactive experiences.