The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is set to run from 7 February to 8 March, with India and Sri Lanka sharing hosting duties and 20 sides involved. According to officials briefed on the draft schedule, the ICC has already circulated the proposed window to participating boards.
Five Indian grounds and two Sri Lankan venues are earmarked. The final will be staged either at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium or the R. Premadasa in Colombo. The choice hinges on whether Pakistan reach the decider, as India and Pakistan still do not play in each other’s territory.
Format
The tournament keeps the structure used in the 2024 edition in the West Indies and USA: four groups of five, the top two in each group moving to the Super Eight, then semi-finals and final. Fifty-five matches are expected in total.
Confirmed teams
Fifteen nations already hold places: India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, USA, West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, Netherlands and first-timers Italy. Two further berths will come via the Africa qualifier and three from the Asia–East Asia Pacific pathway.
Crowded local calendar
India’s domestic schedule is busy. The BCCI plans to stage the Women’s Premier League in early January, wrap it up in time for the men’s World Cup, then launch the IPL from roughly 15 March to 31 May. New Zealand are also due in India for limited-overs internationals from 11-31 January.
Weather and travel
February offers settled weather in northern India and dry conditions in Sri Lanka, reducing the risk of rain-affected fixtures. Short hops between the hosts should keep travel demands modest, though the ICC is still mapping out contingency plans.
Diplomatic tight-rope
Organisers remain mindful of India–Pakistan relations. An ICC events officer noted last month, “We have to be pragmatic. If Pakistan qualify for the final, Colombo is the sensible neutral option.” A senior BCCI administrator echoed that view: “We’re ready either way, but we can’t ignore the security protocols.”
What next?
Venue inspection teams will visit shortlisted cities after the monsoon, while the final set of qualifiers begin in late 2025. With the title to defend on home soil, India will start favourites, yet the expanded field – and the sub-continental conditions – promise scope for an upset or two.
Fans should have the full fixture list before year’s end, giving travelling supporters enough time to sort visas and flights.
