T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule

The milestone 10th edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 will unfold across India and Sri Lanka in February and March 2026, bringing the global showpiece back to the subcontinent. The tournament begins on February 7 with a triple-header and concludes on March 8. India enter the competition as reigning champions after their 2024 triumph under Rohit Sharma. Yet history presents an added challenge: no host nation has ever lifted the T20 World Cup trophy. Defending the title on home soil will therefore demand both consistency and composure.

India launch their campaign on opening night against the United States at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The same day, Pakistan face the Netherlands at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, while Scotland meet Bangladesh at Eden Gardens. The group stage runs until February 20, ending with Australia’s clash against Oman. The Super Eight phase begins a day later in Colombo.

Eight venues have been allocated across the two countries. India’s matches will be staged at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Wankhede Stadium, and Eden Gardens. In Sri Lanka, games will be hosted at the R. Premadasa Stadium, the SSC in Colombo, and the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

The semifinals are scheduled for March 4 and 5, split between Colombo and Mumbai. However, contingency plans remain in place due to the pre-existing agreement between the ICC, BCCI and PCB regarding India-Pakistan fixtures. If Pakistan qualify for the semifinals, Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium will host the relevant knockout. Should India and Pakistan meet in a semifinal, the match will take place in Colombo, with Mumbai hosting the other last-four encounter.

The final is officially slated for the Narendra Modi Stadium. But if Pakistan reach the summit clash, it will be relocated to Colombo under the same neutral-venue arrangement.

The tournament retains the 2024 structure. Twenty teams are divided into four groups of five, with the top two from each advancing to the Super Eights. Teams will be slotted into the second stage based on pre-determined seedings. India headline Group A alongside the USA, Namibia, Pakistan and the Netherlands. Australia and England have been separated into different groups, while Group D — featuring South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada and the UAE — is widely viewed as the toughest pool.

If pre-tournament favourites such as India, Australia, West Indies and South Africa progress, they will form one Super Eight group. England, Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka would comprise the other — provided they advance.

This marks the second time both India and Sri Lanka have staged the T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka previously hosted in 2012 and India in 2016, with the West Indies emerging champions on both occasions. Historically, only three teams have won the men’s T20 World Cup more than once: India (2007, 2024), the West Indies (2012, 2016) and England (2010, 2022). Pakistan (2009), Sri Lanka (2014) and Australia (2021) have each claimed a single title.

As the tournament enters its 10th edition, the blend of history, rivalry and home advantage sets the stage for a month-long contest that could either reinforce reputations — or produce yet another first-time narrative in T20 cricket’s most unpredictable arena.