The ICC has officially unveiled the host cities for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, confirming a joint hosting arrangement between India and Sri Lanka. The tournament is scheduled to run from February 7 to March 8, 2026. Indian venues will include Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai, while Sri Lanka will host matches in Colombo and Kandy. A surprising exclusion from the host list is Bengaluru.
The grand finale of the 2026 T20 World Cup is set to be held at Ahmedabad’s iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, the largest cricket ground globally. This decision marks another significant moment for India, coming shortly after their victory in the 2024 edition. The co-hosting with Sri Lanka ensures a subcontinental flavour to the entire event.
High-voltage cricket action is expected at Sri Lanka’s Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy. An intriguing aspect of the tournament is that Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, a decision driven by a bilateral agreement between the BCCI and PCB to avoid matches on home soil between the two nations. This agreement also paves the way for the final to potentially be held in Sri Lanka, even if India reaches it, addressing geopolitical concerns.
The 2026 T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams, divided into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group will proceed to the Super Eight stage, followed by semi-finals and the final. This format aims to provide a competitive and engaging tournament.
Automatic qualification is granted to hosts India and Sri Lanka, along with the top seven teams from the 2024 T20 World Cup: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, USA, and West Indies. Pakistan, New Zealand, and Ireland have qualified based on T20I rankings. Regional qualifiers have seen Canada, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman, and UAE secure their berths. Italy’s historic debut in the T20 World Cup is a notable highlight, reflecting cricket’s expanding reach.
As defending champions, India will be keen to replicate their 2024 success. With a strong squad and the advantage of home conditions, they are expected to be strong title contenders. The possibility of playing the final in Ahmedabad adds significant excitement to their campaign.
The exclusion of Bengaluru has raised eyebrows, considering its passionate cricket-following population and the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium’s reputation. While the ICC has not detailed the reasons, logistical and infrastructural factors are believed to be the primary influences on the venue selection. The confirmed host cities, however, promise a spectacular cricketing spectacle.