The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will take place from 7 February to 8 March 2026, featuring 20 teams across 8 venues in India and Sri Lanka. The ICC has officially confirmed the complete match schedule, making this the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup and one of the most anticipated cricketing events globally.
This comprehensive guide covers the full schedule highlights, match dates, venues, India’s fixtures, format, and key matches for the search topic “icc-t20-world-cup-2026-schedule.”
Overview: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
The 2026 edition marks the first time India and Sri Lanka will co-host the T20 World Cup. The tournament spans 29 days with more than 55 matches expected across two countries.
Key details include:
Total Teams: 20
Group Stage: 4 groups of 5 teams
Venues: 8 stadiums across India and Sri Lanka
Tournament Duration: 7 February to 8 March 2026
This is also one of the earliest-scheduled T20 World Cups in ICC history.
Tournament Format Explained
The ICC has retained its expanded 20-team structure, divided into four major phases.
1. Group Stage (7 to 19 February 2026)
20 teams
4 groups of 5
Each team plays four matches
Top two from each group qualify for the Super 8s
2. Super 8s (21 February to 1 March 2026)
8 qualified teams
Divided into Group X and Group Y
Top two from each group enter the semi-finals
3. Semi-finals (Early March 2026)
Expected venues: Kolkata, Colombo and Mumbai.
4. Final (8 March 2026)
The grand finale will be held on 8 March 2026. The final venue is expected to be either Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad or R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Key Schedule Highlights – T20 World Cup 2026
The opening day on 7 February 2026 features three major matches:
Pakistan vs Netherlands at SSC, Colombo
West Indies vs Bangladesh at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
India vs USA at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (7:00 PM IST)
Group-stage fixtures continue across all venues until 19 February, followed by the Super 8 matches from 21 February.
Semi-finals begin in early March, leading to the final on 8 March.
India’s Schedule – ICC T20 World Cup 2026
India’s group matches are scheduled during primetime (7 PM IST):
7 February: India vs USA – Mumbai
12 February: India vs Namibia – Delhi
15 February: India vs Pakistan – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
18 February: India vs Netherlands – Ahmedabad
The India vs Pakistan match is expected to be one of the most-watched fixtures of the tournament.
If India enters the Super 8s, matches will be hosted across Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Colombo and Ahmedabad depending on group assignments.
Venues for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Venues in India
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Wankhede/Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
These stadiums offer a mix of batting-friendly and spin-friendly surfaces, influencing team strategies.
Venues in Sri Lanka
R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo
Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy
Evening matches in Colombo and Kandy are likely to see heavy dew, affecting bowling choices and defending strategies.
Teams Participating
The 20 participating teams include:
India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh, Netherlands, USA, Namibia, Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, Nepal and others qualifying through regional tournaments.
Why the 2026 T20 World Cup Is Highly Anticipated
India and Sri Lanka co-hosting the event
The India vs Pakistan match scheduled in Colombo
Expanded 20-team format
Super 8 stage adding more competitive matches
High-scoring subcontinental pitch conditions
This combination guarantees one of the most exciting T20 World Cups to date.
Conclusion
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 promises a month of thrilling cricket, historic rivalries, and packed stadiums as India and Sri Lanka host the world’s top cricketing nations. With prime-time fixtures, diverse venues and a competitive format, the 2026 edition is set to be one of the most memorable T20 World Cups ever.
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