The ICC on Tuesday unveiled the full schedule for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at a high-profile ceremony in Mumbai, confirming Ahmedabad as the host of the final on 8 March, with the semifinals set for Kolkata and Mumbai. Colombo has been designated as an alternative venue for both one semifinal and the final, depending on Pakistan’s progression in the tournament.
Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the 2026 edition will open on 7 February with defending champions India facing the United States under lights at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. Former champions Pakistan and the West Indies will also feature on the opening day, playing in Colombo and Kolkata respectively.
In a major highlight, T20 World Cup–winning captain Rohit Sharma has been appointed ICC Brand Ambassador for the tournament. Rohit Sharma joined ICC Chairman Jay Shah, India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, and India women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur on stage at the schedule reveal event.
The tournament will be played across eight venues — five in India and three in Sri Lanka. Besides Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai, Sri Lanka’s R. Premadasa Stadium, Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium complete the lineup of host locations.
Twenty teams have been divided into four groups of five, with the top two from each group progressing to the Super Eights:
Group A: India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan
Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal
Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE
All of Pakistan’s group-stage fixtures will be played in Sri Lanka. If Pakistan qualifies for the semifinals, Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium will host Semi-Final 1 instead of Kolkata. Should Pakistan enter the final, that match will shift from Ahmedabad to Colombo. If India and Pakistan clash in the semifinals, the game will be held in Colombo, while Mumbai will host Semi-Final 2 if India faces any team other than Pakistan.
ICC Chairman, Jay Shah, welcomed the announcement, stating: “It is wonderful to welcome the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup back to the subcontinent so soon after a groundbreaking Women’s Cricket World Cup… One can already picture the electric atmosphere at the Narendra Modi Stadium when the champions lift the trophy on 8 March.”
ICC CEO, Sanjog Gupta said: “The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is expected to usher in a new era of global, marquee Cricketing events… this promises to be a feast for Cricket fans around the world.”
ICC Brand Ambassador, Rohit Sharma, reflected on his journey with the tournament and his new role: “I have the good fortune of winning this tournament two times… It is great to have the tournament back in India and for me to be associated once again with the tournament, this time in a new capacity as the Brand Ambassador.”
India and Sri Lanka will be hosting the event for the second time. Sri Lanka staged the 2012 edition, while India hosted in 2016 — both won by the West Indies. India (2007, 2024) and England (2010, 2022) remain the only two teams to have won the title twice, with Pakistan (2009), Sri Lanka (2014) and Australia (2021) also on the list of past champions.
To view the complete match schedule, click here.
