T20 Men’s World Cup 2026: The roar of the crowd, flashing LED bails, and high-octane drama of the shortest format are back as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 gets underway. Co-hosted by cricketing giants India and Sri Lanka, the tournament is set to be the biggest T20 World Cup in history, featuring 20 teams and 55 matches.

Running from February 7 to March 8, 2026, the tournament promises non-stop action, marquee clashes, and packed stadiums across two countries. From India’s opening match at Wankhede to the much-awaited India vs Pakistan showdown, here is everything you need to know about the T20 Men’s World Cup 2026 schedule, dates, venues, and format.

T20 Men’s World Cup 2026 Key Dates

The tournament follows a structured and competitive format, beginning with the group stage and concluding with the grand final.

Group Stage: February 7 – February 20, 2026

Super 8 Stage: February 21 – March 1, 2026

Semi-Finals: March 4 & March 5, 2026

Final Match: March 8, 2026

The T20 World Cup 2026 final is scheduled to be played at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

T20 Men’s World Cup 2026 Match Schedule: Group A (India & Pakistan)

Group A is being termed the “Group of Death”, featuring defending champions India and arch-rivals Pakistan, along with USA, Netherlands, and Namibia. As per neutral venue arrangements, all Pakistan matches will be played in Sri Lanka.

Date	Match	Venue	Time (IST)
7 Feb	India vs USA	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai	7:00 PM
7 Feb	Pakistan vs Netherlands	SSC Ground, Colombo	11:00 AM
10 Feb	Pakistan vs USA	SSC Ground, Colombo	7:00 PM
12 Feb	India vs Namibia	Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi	7:00 PM
15 Feb	India vs Pakistan	R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo	7:00 PM
18 Feb	Pakistan vs Namibia	SSC Ground, Colombo	3:00 PM
18 Feb	India vs Netherlands	Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad	7:00 PM

The India vs Pakistan match on February 15 is expected to be one of the most-watched fixtures of the tournament.

T20 World Cup 2026 Venues and Host Cities

A total of 8 world-class stadiums across India and Sri Lanka will host the tournament’s 55 matches.

Venues

Mumbai

Delhi

Kolkata

Chennai

Ahmedabad

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Venues

Colombo (R. Premadasa Stadium & SSC Ground)

Pallekele (Kandy)

Important Note

If Pakistan qualifies for the final, the match will be shifted to R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, as per neutral venue agreements.

T20 Men’s World Cup 2026 Groups List

The 20 teams are divided into four groups of five teams each. The 2026 edition also marks Italy’s historic debut, while Scotland replaces Bangladesh in Group C.

Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia

Group B: Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman

Group C: England, West Indies, Scotland, Nepal, Italy

Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, Canada

FAQ

When will the T20 Men’s World Cup 2026 start?

The T20 Men’s World Cup 2026 will begin on February 7, 2026, with the group stage matches starting across venues in India and Sri Lanka.

What is the final date of T20 World Cup 2026?

The T20 World Cup 2026 final is scheduled to be played on March 8, 2026.

Which countries are hosting the T20 World Cup 2026?

The tournament is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with matches played across eight venues in both countries.

How many teams are playing in the T20 Men’s World Cup 2026?

A total of 20 teams are participating in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, making it the largest edition of the tournament so far.

What is the format of the T20 World Cup 2026?

The tournament consists of:

• Group Stage (4 groups of 5 teams)
• Super 8 Stage
• Semi-Finals
• Final

This format ensures more matches and competitive cricket.

When is the India vs Pakistan match in T20 World Cup 2026?

The India vs Pakistan match will be played on February 15, 2026, at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Why is the India vs Pakistan match being played in Sri Lanka?

The match is being held in Sri Lanka as a neutral venue, following ICC agreements to ensure smooth scheduling and security arrangements.

Where will the T20 World Cup 2026 final be played?

The final is scheduled at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. However, if Pakistan qualifies, the final will be shifted to R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Which stadiums in India will host T20 World Cup 2026 matches?

Matches in India will be played in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Ahmedabad.

Which new teams are playing in T20 World Cup 2026?

Italy will make its historic debut in the T20 World Cup 2026, while Scotland joins Group C after Bangladesh’s withdrawal.

Who is the captain of India for T20 World Cup 2026?

India will be led by Suryakumar Yadav in the T20 Men’s World Cup 2026.

Where can fans check the full T20 Men’s World Cup 2026 schedule?

Fans can check the complete T20 Men’s World Cup 2026 schedule, including match dates, venues, and timings, on the official ICC website and trusted sports news platforms.