The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially confirmed that India and Sri Lanka will jointly host the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to take place from February 7 to March 8, 2026. The selected venues in India include Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai, while Sri Lanka will feature Colombo and Kandy as host cities. A notable omission from the host city list is Bengaluru, a popular cricketing hub.
The culmination of the month-long tournament will occur at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, celebrated as the world’s largest cricket stadium. This event marks another significant occasion for Indian cricket, following their victorious campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The decision to partner with Sri Lanka for hosting duties ensures a shared celebration of cricket across the subcontinent.
High-profile matches are anticipated at Sri Lanka’s renowned venues, the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy. A unique aspect of the tournament is Pakistan’s commitment to playing all their matches in Sri Lanka, facilitated by an agreement between the BCCI and PCB. This arrangement aims to prevent direct clashes between the two nations on their home grounds. Furthermore, the final could potentially be held in Sri Lanka, irrespective of the finalists, to navigate geopolitical sensitivities.
The 2026 T20 World Cup will adopt the expanded 20-team format, featuring four groups of five teams each. Teams will compete within their groups, with the top two sides advancing to the Super Eight stage. The competition will then proceed to semi-finals and the grand final.
As hosts, India and Sri Lanka automatically qualify for the tournament. They are joined by the top seven teams from the 2024 T20 World Cup, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the United States, and the West Indies. Pakistan, New Zealand, and Ireland have secured their spots through their T20I rankings. The regional qualifiers have identified Canada, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman, and the UAE as participants. Italy’s historic qualification for their first T20 World Cup is a major talking point, highlighting cricket’s global growth.
India, the reigning champions, will be eager to defend their title on familiar territory. With a strong squad and the home crowd behind them, they are expected to be strong contenders. The prospect of the final being played in Ahmedabad will add immense pressure and excitement to their campaign.
The exclusion of Bengaluru from the host cities has generated considerable debate. Despite its passionate fanbase and the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium’s reputation, logistical and infrastructural considerations are believed to have influenced the final venue selection. The chosen cities, however, promise excellent facilities and an engaging atmosphere for cricket fans.
