The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is almost here, and the excitement has become even bigger now that the official schedule is finally announced. The tournament will be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026, and cricket fans are already counting the days.
India, the defending champions from 2024, will be looking to win the trophy again at home. With 20 teams, world-class players, and matches in top stadiums, this edition is going to be full of energy, drama, and fun moments.
Whether you watch cricket every day or are just getting into it, the T20 World Cup is super easy to follow. And now that the schedule is out, you can plan your favourite matches right away.
About ICC T20 World Cup 2026
India and Sri Lanka will work together to host this big event. Most matches will be played in India, with some important matches in Sri Lanka too.
| Tournament Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Start Date | February 7, 2026 |
| End Date | March 8, 2026 |
| Duration | About one month |
| Host Countries | India and Sri Lanka |
| Number of Teams | 20 teams from around the world |
| Final Match | March 8, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India |
Tournament Format
The T20 World Cup 2026 will follow a simple format:
First Round – Group Stage
- 20 teams will be split into 4 groups
- Each group has 5 teams
- Every team plays the other teams in their group once
- The top 2 teams from each group move forward
Second Round – Super Eight
- The 8 teams that move forward are split into 2 groups of 4 teams each
- Every team plays the others in their group once
- The top 2 teams from each group go to the semi-finals
Finals Week
- Semi-finals: 4 teams play in 2 matches
- Final: The 2 winners play for the trophy
This format means every match is important. Teams must play well from the start to reach the final.
Teams Playing in the T20 World Cup 2026
Here are all 20 teams that will play:
Teams with Automatic Spots
- India (Host country and defending champions)
- Sri Lanka (Host country)
- Afghanistan (Top 7 from 2024 World Cup)
- Australia (Top 7 from 2024 World Cup)
- Bangladesh (Top 7 from 2024 World Cup)
- England (Top 7 from 2024 World Cup)
- South Africa (Top 7 from 2024 World Cup)
- United States of America (Top 7 from 2024 World Cup)
- West Indies (Top 7 from 2024 World Cup)
Teams from Rankings
- New Zealand (T20I rankings)
- Pakistan (T20I rankings)
- Ireland (T20I rankings)
Teams from Qualifiers
- Canada (Americas region)
- Italy (Europe region – first time in T20 World Cup!)
- Netherlands (Europe region)
- Namibia (Africa region)
- Zimbabwe (Africa region)
- Nepal (Asia region)
- Oman (Asia region)
- UAE (Asia region)
Italy will be playing in its first-ever T20 World Cup. This is very exciting for Italian cricket fans!
ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule
Here is the complete updated schedule exactly as per the official announcement.
| Date | Match No. | Stage / Group | Teams | Venue | Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 Feb 2026 | 1 | Group A | Netherlands vs Pakistan | Colombo (SSC) | 11:00 AM |
| 07 Feb 2026 | 2 | Group C (D/N) | Bangladesh vs West Indies | Eden Gardens | 3:00 PM |
| 07 Feb 2026 | 3 | Group A (N) | India vs USA | Wankhede | 7:00 PM |
| 08 Feb 2026 | 4 | Group D | Afghanistan vs New Zealand | Chennai | 11:00 AM |
| 08 Feb 2026 | 5 | Group C (D/N) | England vs Nepal | Wankhede | 3:00 PM |
| 08 Feb 2026 | 6 | Group B (N) | Sri Lanka vs Ireland | Colombo (RPS) | 7:00 PM |
| 09 Feb 2026 | 7 | Group C | Bangladesh vs Italy | Eden Gardens | 11:00 AM |
| 09 Feb 2026 | 8 | Group B (D/N) | Oman vs Zimbabwe | Colombo (SSC) | 3:00 PM |
| 09 Feb 2026 | 9 | Group D (N) | Canada vs South Africa | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM |
| 10 Feb 2026 | 10 | Group A | Namibia vs Netherlands | Delhi | 11:00 AM |
| 10 Feb 2026 | 11 | Group D (D/N) | New Zealand vs UAE | Chennai | 3:00 PM |
| 10 Feb 2026 | 12 | Group A (N) | Pakistan vs USA | Colombo (SSC) | 7:00 PM |
| 11 Feb 2026 | 13 | Group D | Afghanistan vs South Africa | Ahmedabad | 11:00 AM |
| 11 Feb 2026 | 14 | Group B (D/N) | Australia vs Ireland | Colombo (RPS) | 3:00 PM |
| 11 Feb 2026 | 15 | Group C (N) | England vs West Indies | Wankhede | 7:00 PM |
| 12 Feb 2026 | 16 | Group B | Sri Lanka vs Oman | Pallekele | 11:00 AM |
| 12 Feb 2026 | 17 | Group C (D/N) | Italy vs Nepal | Wankhede | 3:00 PM |
| 12 Feb 2026 | 18 | Group A (N) | India vs Namibia | Delhi | 7:00 PM |
| 13 Feb 2026 | 19 | Group B | Australia vs Zimbabwe | Colombo (RPS) | 11:00 AM |
| 13 Feb 2026 | 20 | Group D (D/N) | Canada vs UAE | Delhi | 3:00 PM |
| 13 Feb 2026 | 21 | Group A (N) | Netherlands vs USA | Chennai | 7:00 PM |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 22 | Group B | Ireland vs Oman | Colombo (SSC) | 11:00 AM |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 23 | Group C (D/N) | Bangladesh vs England | Eden Gardens | 3:00 PM |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 24 | Group D (N) | New Zealand vs South Africa | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM |
| 15 Feb 2026 | 25 | Group C | Nepal vs West Indies | Wankhede | 11:00 AM |
| 15 Feb 2026 | 26 | Group A (D/N) | Namibia vs USA | Chennai | 3:00 PM |
| 15 Feb 2026 | 27 | Group A (N) | India vs Pakistan | Colombo (RPS) | 7:00 PM |
| 16 Feb 2026 | 28 | Group D | Afghanistan vs UAE | Delhi | 11:00 AM |
| 16 Feb 2026 | 29 | Group C (D/N) | England vs Italy | Eden Gardens | 3:00 PM |
| 16 Feb 2026 | 30 | Group B (N) | Australia vs Sri Lanka | Pallekele | 7:00 PM |
| 17 Feb 2026 | 31 | Group D | Canada vs New Zealand | Chennai | 11:00 AM |
| 17 Feb 2026 | 32 | Group B (D/N) | Ireland vs Zimbabwe | Pallekele | 3:00 PM |
| 17 Feb 2026 | 33 | Group C (N) | Bangladesh vs Nepal | Wankhede | 7:00 PM |
| 18 Feb 2026 | 34 | Group D | South Africa vs UAE | Delhi | 11:00 AM |
| 18 Feb 2026 | 35 | Group A (D/N) | Namibia vs Pakistan | Colombo (SSC) | 3:00 PM |
| 18 Feb 2026 | 36 | Group A (N) | India vs Netherlands | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM |
| 19 Feb 2026 | 37 | Group C | Italy vs West Indies | Eden Gardens | 11:00 AM |
| 19 Feb 2026 | 38 | Group B (D/N) | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | Colombo (RPS) | 3:00 PM |
| 19 Feb 2026 | 39 | Group D (N) | Afghanistan vs Canada | Chennai | 7:00 PM |
| 20 Feb 2026 | 40 | Group B (N) | Australia vs Oman | Pallekele | 7:00 PM |
| 21 Feb 2026 | 41 | Super Eights — Group 2 (N) | TBA vs TBA | Colombo (RPS) | 7:00 PM |
| 22 Feb 2026 | 42 | Super Eights — Group 2 (D/N) | TBA vs TBA | Pallekele | 3:00 PM |
| 22 Feb 2026 | 43 | Super Eights — Group 1 (N) | TBA vs TBA | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM |
| 23 Feb 2026 | 44 | Super Eights — Group 1 (N) | TBA vs TBA | Wankhede | 7:00 PM |
| 24 Feb 2026 | 45 | Super Eights — Group 2 (N) | TBA vs TBA | Pallekele | 7:00 PM |
| 25 Feb 2026 | 46 | Super Eights — Group 2 (N) | TBA vs TBA | Colombo (RPS) | 7:00 PM |
| 26 Feb 2026 | 47 | Super Eights — Group 1 (D/N) | TBA vs TBA | Ahmedabad | 3:00 PM |
| 26 Feb 2026 | 48 | Super Eights — Group 1 (N) | TBA vs TBA | Chennai | 7:00 PM |
| 27 Feb 2026 | 49 | Super Eights — Group 2 (N) | TBA vs TBA | Colombo (RPS) | 7:00 PM |
| 28 Feb 2026 | 50 | Super Eights — Group 2 (N) | TBA vs TBA | Pallekele | 7:00 PM |
| 01 Mar 2026 | 51 | Super Eights — Group 1 (D/N) | TBA vs TBA | Delhi | 3:00 PM |
| 01 Mar 2026 | 52 | Super Eights — Group 1 (N) | TBA vs TBA | Eden Gardens | 7:00 PM |
| 03 Mar 2026 | 53 | Semi-Final 1 | TBA vs TBA | TBA | 7:00 PM |
| 05 Mar 2026 | 54 | Semi-Final 2 | TBA vs TBA | Wankhede | 7:00 PM |
| 08 Mar 2026 | 55 | Final | TBA vs TBA | TBA | 7:00 PM |
How to Buy Tickets
Ticket information has not been released yet. The ICC will share details about buying tickets very soon.
When tickets go on sale:
- You can buy them online from official websites
- Popular matches will sell out quickly
- The final match in Ahmedabad will be the hardest ticket to get
- Prices will vary depending on the match and seat location
If you want to watch matches in the stadium, be ready to buy tickets as soon as they are available. Follow the ICC’s official website and social media for updates.
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Conclusion: ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Will Start from February 7
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is now confirmed with the full schedule released, and excitement is at its peak. With India hosting most matches, Pakistan playing their games in Sri Lanka, and 20 strong teams battling for the trophy, this tournament will be one of the biggest sporting events of the year.
The first match begins on February 7, and the final will be played in Ahmedabad on March 8.
Get ready for one month of world-class cricket, huge crowds, thrilling finishes, and unforgettable moments.
Keep checking the ICC website for ticket updates!
FAQs
The tournament starts on February 7, 2026 and the final will be played on March 8, 2026.
India and Sri Lanka are hosting the tournament together. Most matches will be in India, with some matches in Sri Lanka.
20 teams from around the world will compete in the T20 World Cup 2026.
The final match will be played in Ahmedabad, India on March 8, 2026.
There is a special agreement that India and Pakistan play at neutral locations during tournaments. So Pakistan will play their matches in Sri Lanka, not in India.
India won the 2024 T20 World Cup by beating South Africa in the final.
