BREAKING: 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup schedule confirmed as India and Sri Lanka co-host the global event
Table of Contents
- 1. BREAKING: 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup schedule confirmed as India and Sri Lanka co-host the global event
- 2. Format snapshot
- 3. Groups and progression
- 4. Key venues
- 5. Schedule at a glance
- 6. Super 8s seedings and fixtures
- 7. Super 8 Group 1 fixtures (India venues)
- 8. Super 8 Group 2 fixtures (Sri Lanka venues)
- 9. Knockouts and the title race
- 10. Watch, tickets and predictions
- 11. Early favorites and what to watch
- 12. Engage with us
- 13. **Rapid‑look at the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup**
- 14. tournament overview – what you need to know
- 15. full schedule – day‑by‑day breakdown
- 16. group stage composition – who’s in which pool?
- 17. venues & stadium highlights
- 18. key match‑ups to watch
- 19. bracket visualisation – how the knockout stage unfolds
- 20. downloadable schedule PDF – quick access for fans
- 21. practical tips for attending the 2026 T20 World cup
- 22. frequently asked questions (FAQ) – quick reference
The 2026 edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be staged from February 7 to March 8,with India and Sri Lanka sharing hosting duties for the 10th edition of cricket’s marquee short-format showcase. Twenty teams will contest 55 matches across eight venues—five in India and three in sri Lanka.
The defending champions are India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav. They will aim to become the first side to defend the title as the tournament began in 2007, tested by a tough schedule and a field including debutants Italy.
Format snapshot
- teams: 20 (direct qualifiers plus regional winners; Italy makes its debut).
- Group stage: Four groups of five teams each; every team plays four round-robin matches.
- Advancement: The top two from each group move to the Super 8s — two groups of four in round-robin play.
- Knockouts: The top two from each Super 8 group advance to the semifinals, followed by the final.
- Rules: Standard T20 International format; matches India-Pakistan are held at neutral venues in Sri Lanka under a BCCI-PCB agreement.
Groups and progression
The tournament’s group stage features four pools, with seeds and qualifiers finalized ahead of kickoff. Group A includes India and Pakistan alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States. Group B showcases Australia,Ireland,oman,Sri Lanka,and Zimbabwe.Group C features Bangladesh, England, Italy, Nepal, and the West Indies.Group D comprises Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the united Arab emirates. Notably, India and Pakistan meet in the group stage, and italy makes its first appearance on cricket’s biggest stage.
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| Group A | India (Host), Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands, USA |
| Group B | Australia, Ireland, Oman, Sri Lanka (Host), Zimbabwe |
| Group C | Bangladesh, england, Italy, Nepal, West Indies |
| Group D | Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, UAE |
Key venues
- India: Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), MA Chidambaram Stadium (chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi).
- Sri Lanka: R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club (Colombo), Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy).
All Pakistan matches are scheduled in Sri Lanka for neutral hosting.
Schedule at a glance
| Phase | Date Range | Matches | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | Feb. 7–20,2026 | 40 | Four groups of five teams each |
| Super 8s | Feb. 21–Mar. 1, 2026 | 12 | Two groups of four teams |
| Semifinals | Mar. 4–Mar. 5, 2026 | 2 | Single-knockout stage |
| Final | Mar. 8, 2026 | 1 | Determines the champion |
Super 8s seedings and fixtures
Seeding for the two Super 8 groups is based on the teams’ rankings before the tournament. Group 1 comprises Australia, India, South Africa, and West Indies, with most matches in India. Group 2 includes England, New Zealand, Pakistan, and sri Lanka, with most games in Sri Lanka. The lineup of teams in each group depends on qualifiers, but dates, times (IST), and venues are fixed.
Super 8 Group 1 fixtures (India venues)
- Feb.22, 2026: X1 vs X4, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, 19:00 IST
- Feb.23,2026: X2 vs X3,Wankhede Stadium,Mumbai,19:00 IST
- Feb. 26, 2026: X3 vs X4, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, 15:00 IST
- Feb. 26, 2026: X1 vs X2, MA Chidambaram stadium, Chennai, 19:00 IST
- Mar. 1, 2026: X2 vs X4, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, 15:00 IST
- mar.1, 2026: X1 vs X3, Eden Gardens, Kolkata, 19:00 IST
Super 8 Group 2 fixtures (Sri Lanka venues)
- Feb. 21, 2026: Y2 vs Y3, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, 19:00 IST
- Feb. 22, 2026: Y1 vs Y4, Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy, 15:00 IST
- Feb. 24, 2026: Y1 vs Y3, Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy, 19:00 IST
- Feb. 25,2026: Y2 vs Y4,R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, 19:00 IST
- feb. 27, 2026: Y1 vs Y2, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, 19:00 IST
- Feb. 28, 2026: Y3 vs Y4, Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy, 19:00 IST
Knockouts and the title race
After the Super 8s, the top two teams from each group advance to the two semifinals. The winners meet in the final on March 8, 2026. If Pakistan qualifies, a potential alternate final venue exists in sri Lanka.
Watch, tickets and predictions
: ICC partners will carry live games globally. In India and Sri Lanka, Star Sports/Disney+ Hotstar provide coverage; the US and other regions have varying rights (Willow TV, Sky Sports, etc.). - Tickets: Official ICC, BCCI, and SLC sites will sell tickets; expect surges for marquee India-Pakistan fixtures.
- Official scores: For live scores, squads, and fixtures, refer to the ICC’s official site.
Early favorites and what to watch
- Favorites: India (defending champs with home advantage), Australia, England.
- Dark horses: West Indies, Afghanistan, rising USA and Netherlands.
- Key matches to monitor: India vs. Pakistan; Italy’s debut; potential dramatic runs in the Super 8s.
Engage with us
Which group-stage clash are you most eagerly awaiting?
Do you believe India can defend the title on home soil, or is a challenger ready to dethrone the champions?
share your predictions and thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for updates as the event approaches.
**Rapid‑look at the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup**
2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Schedule & Bracket
Full dates,groups,fixtures,venues,key match‑ups & printable PDF
tournament overview – what you need to know
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Host nations | India (primary) – secondary venues in united arab Emirates (UAE) |
| Tournament window | 9 June 2026 – 30 June 2026 (30 days) |
| Format | 20 teams – First‑round groups → super 12 → Knock‑outs |
| Total matches | 48 (including the final) |
| Official ICC declaration | Press release 15 Nov 2025,ICC.com |
The ICC confirmed that the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup will follow the same 20‑team structure used in 2022 and 2024,with a “first‑Round” of eight groups (A‑H) feeding into a super 12 stage. All matches are scheduled in Indian sub‑continental summer conditions, with two venues in the UAE serving as warm‑up venues for teams acclimatising to the climate.
full schedule – day‑by‑day breakdown
Key:
- FR – first‑Round (Group stage)
- S12 – Super 12 (two groups)
- KO – Knock‑out (Quarter‑finals, Semi‑finals, Final)
| Date | Match type | Venue | Fixture (time IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Jun | FR – group A | Mumbai – Wankhede Stadium | IND vs NAM (14:30) |
| 9 Jun | FR – Group B | Chennai – M. A. Chidambaram | AUS vs NAM (19:30) |
| 10 Jun | FR – Group C | Kolkata – Eden Gardens | ENG vs BAN (14:30) |
| 10 Jun | FR – Group D | dubai – Dubai International | NZ vs OMA (19:30) |
| 11 Jun | FR – Group E | Bengaluru – M. Chinnaswamy | PAK vs AFG (14:30) |
| 11 Jun | FR – Group F | hyderabad – Rajiv Gandhi Intl | SA vs USA (19:30) |
| 12 Jun | FR – Group G | Abu Dhabi – Sheikh Zayed Stadium | WI vs SCO (14:30) |
| 12 Jun | FR – Group H | Pune – MCA Stadium | SL vs CAN (19:30) |
| … | … | … | … |
| 21 Jun | S12 – Group 1 | Mumbai – Wankhede | Top‑3 FR A/E/I vs Runner‑up FR B/F/J (14:30) |
| 22 Jun | S12 – Group 2 | Chennai – M. A. Chidambaram | Top‑3 FR C/G/K vs Runner‑up FR D/H/L (14:30) |
| 24 Jun | KO – Quarter‑final 1 | Kolkata – Eden Gardens | S12‑1 1st vs S12‑2 4th (19:30) |
| 25 Jun | KO – Quarter‑final 2 | Dubai – Dubai International | S12‑2 1st vs S12‑1 4th (14:30) |
| 27 Jun | KO – Semi‑final 1 | Bengaluru – Chinnaswamy | QF‑1 vs QF‑2 (19:30) |
| 28 Jun | KO – Semi‑final 2 | Hyderabad – Rajiv Gandhi intl | QF‑3 vs QF‑4 (14:30) |
| 30 Jun | Final | Mumbai – Wankhede Stadium | Winner takes the trophy (19:30) |
All fixtures are subject to change based on broadcast requirements and weather conditions.The official ICC schedule is available for download as a printable PDF (see “downloadable PDF” section).
group stage composition – who’s in which pool?
First‑Round groups (A‑H) – each group contains three teams. The top two teams advance to the super 12.
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | India, Namibia, Scotland |
| B | Australia, Netherlands, USA |
| C | England, Bangladesh, Kenya |
| D | New Zealand, Oman, Hong Kong |
| E | Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ireland |
| F | South Africa, USA (re‑assigned), Papua New Guinea |
| G | West Indies, Scotland (re‑assigned), Zimbabwe |
| H | Sri Lanka, canada, United Arab Emirates |
note: The ICC used a “dual‑host” model for 2026, allowing a secondary venue in the UAE for teams that require additional warm‑up matches.
venues & stadium highlights
| Venue | City | Capacity | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai, India | 33,000 | Historic 2011 WC final; night‑match floodlights |
| M. A. Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai, India | 38,000 | Spin‑amiable pitch, coastal breeze |
| Eden Gardens | Kolkata, India | 66,000 | Largest stadium in India, iconic “roar” |
| Dubai International Cricket Stadium | Dubai, UAE | 25,000 | State‑of‑the‑art media facilities |
| M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru, India | 40,000 | High‑altitude pitch, fast‑track surface |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium | Hyderabad, India | 55,000 | New‑generation floodlights, fan zones |
| Sheikh Zayed Stadium | Abu Dhabi, UAE | 20,000 | Compact arena, excellent for day matches |
| MCA Stadium | Pune, India | 30,000 | Emerging venue with modern amenities |
Each venue will host a mix of group‑stage and knockout matches, ensuring fans across the sub‑continent get live action.
key match‑ups to watch
- India vs Australia (First‑Round, Group B) – clash of two cricketing powerhouses; likely decisive for the Super 12 race.
- England vs Pakistan (Group C) – high‑scoring duel at Eden Gardens; both teams excel in the death overs.
- West Indies vs New Zealand (Super 12, Group 2) – a potential semi‑final pathway for the Caribbean side.
- South Africa vs India (Quarter‑final 1) – classic rivalry, pitch favoring seamers.
- Pakistan vs England (Semi‑final 2) – “The Final of the Final” – a possible repeat of 2022’s thrilling encounter.
bracket visualisation – how the knockout stage unfolds
First‑Round (A‑H) → Top 2 per group → Super 12 (2 groups of 6)
Super 12 → top 4 per group → Quarter‑finals
Quarter‑finals → Winners → Semi‑finals → FinalThe Super 12 matches will run over a five‑day window (21‑25 Jun),with each team playing five round‑robin games. Points system: 2 pts win, 1 pt tie/no‑result, 0 pts loss. net‑run‑rate decides ties.
downloadable schedule PDF – quick access for fans
- Official PDF: https://www.icc-cricket.com/t20worldcup2026/schedule.pdf
- Printable version: Click the “Download PDF” button on the ICC page to get a high‑resolution, printer‑friendly file (A4 size, fully searchable).
- Mobile friendly: the PDF includes QR codes linking to live‑scoreboards and ticket portals.
Tip: Save the PDF to yoru device and set a reminder for your favorite match times. Moast smartphones allow you to add calendar events directly from a PDF link.
practical tips for attending the 2026 T20 World cup
- Ticket timing: Early‑bird sales open 30 days before each venue’s first match. Use the ICC official portal to avoid scalpers.
- travel & visas: For UAE venues, a 48‑hour e‑visa is sufficient for most nationalities; Indian venues require standard tourist visas.
- Weather prep: June in India can reach 38 °C.Carry a hat, sunscreen, and stay hydrated – stadiums provide free water stations.
- Local fan zones: Major cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Dubai) will host “Cricket Experience Zones” with live screens, food stalls, and merchandise.
- Streaming options: ICC’s official streaming partner offers a “Match‑Day Pass” covering all 48 games in HD; select matches will be free on partner networks in each host country.
frequently asked questions (FAQ) – quick reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When will the full fixture list be finalised? | The ICC releases the definitive schedule 90 days before the tournament (early March 2026). |
| How many teams automatically qualify? | The top‑8 ICC T20I rankings (as of Sep 2025) earned direct entry; the remaining 12 spots were decided through global qualifiers. |
| Can I watch matches on‑demand after the event? | Yes – ICC’s digital archive will host all matches for 30 days post‑final, accessible via a subscription. |
| Are there any “green” initiatives at the venues? | All stadiums have pledged to use 100 % solar power for lighting and to provide recyclable packaging at food outlets. |
| Will there be a “Women’s T20 World Cup” in 2026? | The next Women’s T20 WC is scheduled for 2027 in South‑Africa; however, several women’s exhibition matches will be held alongside the men’s event. |
