ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule: Full Match List, Venues & World Cup History

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.

History of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

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.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Origins and Launch (2007) 

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.

Expansion and Global Popularity

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.

Evolution of Champions

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)

West Indies’ Golden Era

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.

Modern Era and Tournament Expansion

• 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.

Impact on World Cricket

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

Looking Ahead

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.

Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Start Date and Schedule

When Does the T20 World Cup 2026 Start?

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, Semi-Finals and Final Dates

• 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.

Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Groups

Group Stage Breakdown

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.

Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Results & Fixtures (Full Schedule)

Groups Overview

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

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Match Results So Far

February 7, 2026

• 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

February 8, 2026

• 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

February 9, 2026

• 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)

Upcoming Fixtures

February 10, 2026

• Netherlands vs Namibia (Delhi, 05:30)

• New Zealand vs UAE (Chennai, 09:30)

• Pakistan vs USA (Colombo SSC, 13:30)

February 11, 2026

• South Africa vs Afghanistan (Ahmedabad, 05:30)

• Australia vs Ireland (Colombo RPS, 09:30)

• England vs West Indies (Mumbai, 13:30)

February 12, 2026

• Sri Lanka vs Oman (Pallekele, 05:30)

• Nepal vs Italy (Mumbai, 09:30)

• India vs Namibia (Delhi, 13:30)

February 13, 2026

• Australia vs Zimbabwe (Colombo RPS, 05:30)

• Canada vs UAE (Delhi, 09:30)

• USA vs Netherlands (Chennai, 13:30)

February 14, 2026

• Ireland vs Oman (Colombo SSC, 05:30)

• England vs Scotland (Kolkata, 09:30)

• New Zealand vs South Africa (Ahmedabad, 13:30)

February 15, 2026

• West Indies vs Nepal (Mumbai, 05:30)

• USA vs Namibia (Chennai, 09:30)

• India vs Pakistan (Colombo RPS, 13:30)

February 16, 2026

• Afghanistan vs UAE (Delhi, 05:30)

• England vs Italy (Kolkata, 09:30)

• Australia vs Sri Lanka (Pallekele, 13:30)

February 17, 2026

• New Zealand vs Canada (Chennai, 05:30)

• Ireland vs Zimbabwe (Pallekele, 09:30)

• Scotland vs Nepal (Mumbai, 13:30)

February 18, 2026

• South Africa vs UAE (Delhi, 05:30)

• Pakistan vs Namibia (Colombo SSC, 09:30)

• India vs Netherlands (Ahmedabad, 13:30)

February 19, 2026

• West Indies vs Italy (Kolkata, 05:30)

• Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe (Colombo RPS, 09:30)

• Afghanistan vs Canada (Chennai, 13:30)

February 20, 2026

• Australia vs Oman (Pallekele, 13:30)

Super 8 Fixtures

• 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)

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Knockout Matches

Semi-Finals

• March 4: Semi-final 1 (Kolkata or Colombo, 13:30)

• March 5: Semi-final 2 (Mumbai, 13:30)

Final

• March 8: Final (Ahmedabad or Colombo, 13:30)

Teams Competing in the T20 World Cup 2026

Qualified Teams and Key Changes

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.

Venues and Stadiums for T20 World Cup 2026

Host Venues in India and Sri Lanka

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.

Rules and Playing Conditions of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

Match Rules and Regulations

• 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.

Previous Men’s T20 World Cup Winners

Champions List

• 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.