The countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is well and truly underway, and the ICC has sparked fresh excitement by revealing ticket prices for the tournament, including the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash.
With India and Sri Lanka set to co-host the global event, the India–Pakistan fixture has once again emerged as the centrepiece of fan interest, even before full-scale ticket sales have officially begun.
India vs Pakistan Match Date and Venue Confirmed
The marquee encounter between the arch-rivals is scheduled for February 15, 2026, at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The match will carry extra significance as it is expected to be India’s only group-stage game outside India, unless the two teams meet again later in the knockouts.
The ICC has confirmed that ticket sales will be conducted in multiple phases, with pricing details released ahead of wider availability.
Ticket Prices Announced at Historic Lows
According to the official announcement, entry-level tickets for the India vs Pakistan match will start at LKR 1,500, which is approximately ₹439. The pricing has been described as one of the lowest starting points ever announced for an India–Pakistan clash at an ICC World Cup event.
Across the tournament, the ICC has adopted a fan-friendly pricing model. In India, tickets for matches not involving the national team will begin at ₹100, while fixtures featuring India will start from ₹500. In Sri Lanka, general match tickets will be available from LKR 1,000.
Tickets for the semi-finals and final are expected to be released at a later stage.
Ticket Sales to Open in Phases
While prices have now been revealed, the ICC has clarified that tickets will be released in phases, with further details on availability to be announced soon. Fans have been advised to monitor the official ticketing platform for updates, as demand for the India–Pakistan fixture is expected to be extremely high once sales fully open.
Controversy Surrounds ICC Promotional Campaign
The build-up to the tournament has not been without controversy. The ICC recently faced criticism after releasing a promotional poster for the T20 World Cup 2026 that did not feature any Pakistani player. The omission sparked backlash on social media, with fans questioning the representation of teams in the tournament’s marketing.
The ICC has yet to respond in detail to the criticism, but the debate has added another layer of tension ahead of a tournament already packed with high-stakes narratives.
Tournament Schedule and Venues
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will run from February 7 to March 8, with matches hosted across eight venues in India and Sri Lanka. Indian cities include Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata, while Sri Lanka will host matches in Colombo (R. Premadasa Stadium and SSC Ground) and Pallekele.
What Lies Ahead
With ticket prices now revealed and phased sales set to follow, anticipation around the India vs Pakistan clash continues to build. As the tournament draws closer, fans can expect further announcements on ticket availability, match-day arrangements, and knockout fixtures.
One thing is certain — when India and Pakistan meet at the T20 World Cup 2026, the spotlight of the cricketing world will firmly be on Colombo.
