ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule to Be Announced Soon; Ahmedabad Likely to Host Final as India and Sri Lanka Prepare for Co-Hosting Duties

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is set to be one of the most anticipated cricket events in recent years, with the official schedule expected to be announced soon. According to reports, the tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, running from February 7 to March 8, 2026. Early indications suggest that the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is likely to host the grand final, making it one of the most significant venues of the competition.

Discussions about the tournament’s logistics and venues were recently held between officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), where key decisions were made to streamline the hosting plan. Unlike the 2023 ICC World Cup, which featured a large number of venues, the 2026 T20 World Cup will take place at fewer locations to ensure better coordination and consistent pitch quality. Each selected ground is expected to host at least six matches.

As per early reports, the six probable Indian venues under consideration include Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai — with one additional venue yet to be finalized. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is expected to host matches across three major stadiums, which will be officially confirmed once venue inspections are completed.

Notably, stadiums that hosted games during the recent ICC Women’s World Cup — such as Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Indore, and Navi Mumbai — will not be part of the 2026 T20 World Cup venue lineup. The decision aims to optimize logistics, travel schedules, and audience turnout by concentrating matches in larger, more accessible cities.

An important detail shared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the BCCI is the adoption of a hybrid hosting model, a structure mutually agreed upon with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Under this model, both India and Pakistan will play their respective matches on neutral venues. This arrangement also includes a special clause — if Sri Lanka qualifies for the semi-finals, the match will be held in Colombo; however, if Pakistan reaches the final, it will be played at a neutral venue rather than in India.

The tournament will follow the same format as the previous edition. A total of 20 teams will participate, divided into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Eight stage, followed by the semi-finals and the final. This structure ensures a competitive balance, allowing smaller cricketing nations a fair chance to advance through strong performances in the group stage.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is expected to draw record-breaking audiences both in stadiums and online, as fans look forward to seeing top cricketing nations battle for supremacy in the shortest and most thrilling format of the game. With India and Sri Lanka’s shared hosting duties, the event promises an exciting blend of world-class cricket, passionate crowds, and vibrant South Asian energy.