The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the exciting news: India and Sri Lanka will be the joint hosts for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. This prestigious tournament is set to take place from February 7 to March 8, 2026. While cricket enthusiasts in Bengaluru will miss out on hosting duties, major Indian cities including Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai have been selected. Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, and the scenic city of Kandy will also be staging matches.
The tournament’s climax will be held at the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, a fitting venue for the final of the world’s largest cricket ground. This announcement comes as a significant moment for Indian cricket, mere months after their triumphant win in the 2024 T20 World Cup held in Barbados. The decision to co-host with Sri Lanka ensures a shared experience of this global cricketing festival.
Key venues in Sri Lanka, such as the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy, are slated to host thrilling encounters. Notably, Pakistan is confirmed to play all its group stage matches in Sri Lanka. This arrangement, part of an agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), means the arch-rivals will not compete against each other in India. This unique setup also allows for the possibility of the final being played in Sri Lanka, even if India reaches it, addressing geopolitical considerations.
The 2026 T20 World Cup will continue with the 20-team format introduced in 2024. Teams will be grouped into four pools of five, playing each other once. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage, followed by semi-finals and the grand final.
Automatic qualification is guaranteed for hosts India and Sri Lanka, alongside the top seven teams from the 2024 event: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, USA, and West Indies. Further qualifiers include New Zealand, Pakistan, and Ireland based on T20I rankings. Regional qualifiers have seen Canada (Americas), Namibia and Zimbabwe (Africa), and Nepal, Oman, and UAE (Asia-EAP) secure their places. A significant highlight is Italy’s historic debut in the tournament, underscoring cricket’s growing international appeal.
India, as the reigning T20 World Cup champions, will be a formidable force, seeking to defend their title. With a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talent, and the advantage of playing in familiar conditions, they will be strongly fancied. The prospect of a home final in Ahmedabad will undoubtedly fuel their ambition.
The absence of Bengaluru from the list of host venues has raised questions among cricket aficionados, given its reputation for passionate crowds and the lively atmosphere of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. While the ICC has not provided specific reasons, logistical and infrastructural factors are believed to have played a role in the selection process. The chosen stadiums, however, are equipped to deliver a world-class tournament experience.