T20 World cup 2026

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the 10th edition of the tournament, is one of the most anticipated events in world cricket. Jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka under the International Cricket Council, the tournament is returning to the subcontinent, where big crowds, long evenings and intense pressure are becoming part of the everyday build-up.

The competition is beginning on February 7, with three matches being played on the opening day, and is running until March 8. The final is being scheduled at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, although plans are also in place to shift the summit clash to Colombo if Pakistan are making the final, as per the agreement between the ICC, BCCI and PCB. With no host nation ever winning the T20 World Cup, that trend is once again hanging over the tournament. Check T20 World Cup Schedule here.

Matches are being spread across eight venues in India and Sri Lanka, offering different conditions throughout the event. Games are being played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and Eden Gardens in Kolkata, along with Sri Lankan venues such as the R Premadasa Stadium and Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, and Pallekele in Kandy. The semi-finals are being held on March 4 and 5, with venues rotating based on which teams qualify.

The format is staying the same as the previous edition. Twenty teams are being divided into four groups of five, with the top two from each group moving into the Super Eight stage, which is starting on February 21 in Colombo. From there, the margins are getting thinner, with every match effectively carrying knockout pressure.

India, the defending champions after their 2024 triumph, are opening their campaign on the first evening against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium. While the hosts are dealing with expectations and history, the focus of the tournament is remaining broader, with strong teams, varied conditions and high-stakes cricket ensuring the 2026 T20 World Cup unfolds as a true global contest rather than a home-centric story.