The countdown to cricket’s biggest T20 spectacle has officially begun. The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is likely to run from February 7 to March 8, with India and Sri Lanka joining hands as co-hosts for the 20-team tournament.
For the first time since 2016, India will stage men’s T20 World Cup matches on home soil, while Sri Lanka will get its share of action for the first time since 2012.
Venues and Final Twist
According to early details, matches are set to be played at five venues in India and two in Sri Lanka. The tournament finale, however, has an intriguing twist – it will either be held at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad or in Colombo. The decision will depend on whether Pakistan qualify for the final, as the two neighbours continue to avoid playing in each other’s countries due to political tensions.
Format Same as 2024
The 2026 edition will follow the same structure as the 2024 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.
- 20 teams split into four groups of five.
- Top two teams from each group advance to the Super Eight stage.
- Two groups of four in the Super Eights.
- The top two from each Super Eight group progress to the semi-finals.
A total of 55 matches are expected to be played during the month-long event.
Who’s In So Far?
Fifteen teams have already booked their spots:
🇮🇳 India (Defending Champions)
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
🇦🇫 Afghanistan
🇦🇺 Australia
🏴 England
🇿🇦 South Africa
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
🇺🇸 USA
🌴 West Indies
🇳🇿 New Zealand
🇵🇰 Pakistan
🇮🇪 Ireland
🇨🇦 Canada
🇳🇱 Netherlands
🇮🇹 Italy (World Cup debut)
The remaining five teams will come via regional qualifiers — two from Africa and three from Asia/East Asia Pacific.
India’s Packed 2026 Calendar
The BCCI faces a cricketing marathon in early 2026. The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set to be staged in January-February, just before the T20 World Cup. Once the World Cup concludes, the IPL will kick off, tentatively from March 15 to May 31. India will also host New Zealand in a limited-overs series from January 11 to 31.
Defending Champions Back in Action
India enter the 2026 edition as the defending champions, after Suryakumar Yadav’s side lifted the trophy in Barbados earlier this year, defeating South Africa in a gripping final. The hosts will aim to repeat history — this time in front of their own fans.
