The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to captivate cricket fans worldwide as the tournament returns for its 10th edition, featuring 20 teams competing across India and Sri Lanka. India enter the competition as defending champions, carrying momentum from their 2024 triumph and the advantage of familiar subcontinental conditions.
With a month-long schedule packed with high-voltage group clashes, Super 8 battles, and knockout matches, the 2026 T20 World Cup promises a perfect blend of elite competition and thrilling unpredictability that defines the shortest format of the game.
From iconic venues like Eden Gardens, Wankhede Stadium, and the Narendra Modi Stadium to the inclusion of debutants such as Italy and returning sides like Canada, the tournament brings together cricketing powerhouses and emerging nations alike.
As teams chase glory and history, the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is poised to deliver unforgettable moments, dramatic finishes, and global sporting excitement from the opening match on 7 February to the final on 8 March 2026.
T20 World Cup 2026 Explained: Full Schedule, Format, Venues & History
India enter the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as defending champions following their title triumph in the Caribbean and the United States in 2024. Playing in familiar home conditions across India and Sri Lanka, they are among the tournament favourites, although the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket ensures an open and thrilling contest.
The 2026 edition marks the 10th staging of the Men’s T20 World Cup, featuring 20 teams and a packed schedule stretching over a month.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is the shortest and most explosive global tournament in international cricket. Introduced to capitalise on the growing popularity of the Twenty20 format, the event has transformed the way cricket is played, watched, and commercialised across the world.
The tournament was launched in 2007 in South Africa, at a time when T20 cricket was still in its early stages internationally. The inaugural edition proved to be a massive success, drawing new audiences and delivering unforgettable moments.
India became the first-ever champions, defeating Pakistan in a dramatic final in Johannesburg.
The success of the tournament firmly established T20 cricket as a permanent pillar of the international calendar.
Following its instant popularity, the ICC began hosting the tournament every two years (later adjusted due to scheduling disruptions). The competition expanded its global footprint, allowing Associate nations to compete alongside traditional cricketing powers.
Over the years, the T20 World Cup has produced a diverse list of champions, reflecting the format’s unpredictability:
2007 – India
2009 – Pakistan
2010 – England
2012 – West Indies
2014 – Sri Lanka
2016 – West Indies (first two-time champions)
2021 – Australia (first title)
2022 – England (second title)
2024 – India (second title)
The West Indies dominated the mid-2010s, becoming the first team to win two T20 World Cups (2012 and 2016). The 2016 final is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in cricket history.
The 2024 edition, hosted in the Caribbean and the United States, marked a major milestone with expanded venues and global outreach.
The tournament now features 20 teams, offering increased opportunities for emerging nations like Nepal, USA, Canada, and Italy.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has:
Accelerated the rise of franchise T20 leagues
Encouraged aggressive batting and innovative bowling
Brought cricket to new markets such as the USA
Made the sport faster, more viewer-friendly, and commercially powerful
The 2026 edition, hosted by India and Sri Lanka, marks the 10th Men’s T20 World Cup, symbolising nearly two decades of growth. With packed stadiums, elite talent, and high-stakes clashes, the tournament continues to be cricket’s most electrifying global event.
The tournament begins on 7 February 2026 at 05:30 GMT, with Pakistan facing the Netherlands in Colombo.
Three matches are scheduled on the opening day:
Pakistan vs Netherlands – 05:30
West Indies vs Scotland – 09:30
India vs USA – 15:30
The group stage runs until 20 February, featuring three matches daily, except the final group-stage day, which will have a single game at 13:30 GMT.
Super 8s: One or two matches per day at 09:30 and 13:30
Semi-finals: 4 and 5 March
Final: Sunday, 8 March, at 13:30 BST
The final is scheduled to be played in Ahmedabad, subject to qualification conditions.
Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia
Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman
Group C: England, West Indies, Scotland, Nepal, Italy
Group D: New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE
Each team plays four matches, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super 8s.
Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia
Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman
Group C: England, West Indies, Scotland, Nepal, Italy
Group D: New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE
All match start times are in GMT
Pakistan vs Netherlands (Colombo SSC)
Pakistan won by three wickets
West Indies vs Scotland (Kolkata)
West Indies won by 35 runs
India vs USA (Mumbai)
India won by 29 runs
New Zealand vs Afghanistan (Chennai)
New Zealand won by five wickets
England vs Nepal (Mumbai)
England won by four runs
Sri Lanka vs Ireland (Colombo RPS)
Sri Lanka won by 20 runs
Scotland vs Italy (Kolkata)
Scotland won by 73 runs
Zimbabwe vs Oman (Colombo SSC)
Zimbabwe won by eight wickets
South Africa vs Canada (Ahmedabad, 13:30)
Netherlands vs Namibia (Delhi, 05:30)
New Zealand vs UAE (Chennai, 09:30)
Pakistan vs USA (Colombo SSC, 13:30)
South Africa vs Afghanistan (Ahmedabad, 05:30)
Australia vs Ireland (Colombo RPS, 09:30)
England vs West Indies (Mumbai, 13:30)
Sri Lanka vs Oman (Pallekele, 05:30)
Nepal vs Italy (Mumbai, 09:30)
India vs Namibia (Delhi, 13:30)
Australia vs Zimbabwe (Colombo RPS, 05:30)
Canada vs UAE (Delhi, 09:30)
USA vs Netherlands (Chennai, 13:30)
Ireland vs Oman (Colombo SSC, 05:30)
England vs Scotland (Kolkata, 09:30)
New Zealand vs South Africa (Ahmedabad, 13:30)
West Indies vs Nepal (Mumbai, 05:30)
USA vs Namibia (Chennai, 09:30)
India vs Pakistan (Colombo RPS, 13:30)
Afghanistan vs UAE (Delhi, 05:30)
England vs Italy (Kolkata, 09:30)
Australia vs Sri Lanka (Pallekele, 13:30)
New Zealand vs Canada (Chennai, 05:30)
Ireland vs Zimbabwe (Pallekele, 09:30)
Scotland vs Nepal (Mumbai, 13:30)
South Africa vs UAE (Delhi, 05:30)
Pakistan vs Namibia (Colombo SSC, 09:30)
India vs Netherlands (Ahmedabad, 13:30)
West Indies vs Italy (Kolkata, 05:30)
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe (Colombo RPS, 09:30)
Afghanistan vs Canada (Chennai, 13:30)
Australia vs Oman (Pallekele, 13:30)
February 21: Y2 vs Y3 (Colombo RPS, 13:30)
February 22:
Y1 vs Y4 (Pallekele, 09:30)
X1 vs X4 (Ahmedabad, 13:30)
February 23: X2 vs X3 (Mumbai, 13:30)
February 24: Y1 vs Y3 (Pallekele, 13:30)
February 25: Y2 vs Y4 (Colombo RPS, 13:30)
February 26:
X3 vs X4 (Ahmedabad, 09:30)
X1 vs X2 (Chennai, 13:30)
February 27: Y1 vs Y2 (Colombo RPS, 13:30)
February 28: Y3 vs Y4 (Pallekele, 13:30)
March 1:
X2 vs X4 (Delhi, 09:30)
X1 vs X3 (Kolkata, 13:30)
March 4: Semi-final 1 (Kolkata or Colombo, 13:30)
March 5: Semi-final 2 (Mumbai, 13:30)
March 8: Final (Ahmedabad or Colombo, 13:30)
All 12 Test-playing nations have qualified.
Italy are tournament debutants
Canada return to a global tournament for the first time since 2014
Scotland replaced Bangladesh after the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request to move matches from India to Sri Lanka due to safety concerns.
Pakistan considered a boycott but will participate under an agreement reached in 2024 that India–Pakistan matches will not be played in each other’s countries.
India (5 venues):
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Sri Lanka (3 venues):
R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo
Pallekele Cricket Stadium
The Narendra Modi Stadium, with a capacity of 132,000, is the largest cricket venue in the world and is scheduled to host the final unless Pakistan qualify, in which case the match moves to Colombo.
Matches are played over 20 overs per side
Six-over powerplay in each innings
Matches last approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes
Each innings is allocated 1 hour and 25 minutes
A ‘stop-clock’ rule requires the bowling side to be ready within 60 seconds
Each team gets:
Two unsuccessful reviews per innings
If scores are level:
A super over is played
Additional super overs follow until a winner is decided
Minimum overs for a result:
5 overs in group stages
10 overs in semi-finals and final
DLS will be used if weather intervenes after the minimum overs.
2007 – India
2009 – Pakistan
2010 – England
2012 – West Indies
2014 – Sri Lanka
2016 – West Indies
2021 – Australia
2022 – England
2024 – India
Conclusion
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to deliver one of the most competitive editions in the tournament’s history. Featuring a diverse mix of champions, debutants, and returning teams, the event blends tradition with fresh narratives. As matches unfold across world-class stadiums in India and Sri Lanka, fans can expect explosive performances, dramatic finishes, and unforgettable moments. With India aiming to defend their crown and several teams eyeing their first title, the road to the final on 8 March 2026 promises excitement, intensity, and global cricketing drama at its very best.