Co‑host India drawn alongside arch‑rivals Pakistan, USA and Netherlands in Group A; tournament runs from Feb 7 to Mar 8 across India & Sri Lanka.
The full schedule for the T20 World Cup 2026 has been officially announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The marquee fixture? A high‑octane showdown between co‑hosts India national cricket team and Pakistan national cricket team on February 15, 2026, in Colombo.
Here are the key take‑aways:
Dates & Venues
- The tournament runs February 7 to March 8, 2026.
- It will be co‑hosted by India and Sri Lanka; there are 8 venues: 5 in India, 3 in Sri Lanka.
- The final is scheduled for March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad — unless Pakistan reach the final, in which case the final may move to Colombo.
- Semi‑finals: one is locked at the Eden Gardens (Kolkata), the other at the Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai). If Pakistan qualify, the Kolkata semi may shift to Colombo.
Groups & Fixture Highlights
- Group A now features: India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia.
- A few big‑match group stage fixtures announced:
- India’s confirmed group‑stage matches:
Other Noteworthy Points
- Rohit Sharma has been named the tournament’s brand ambassador — a two‑time T20 Worlds winner.
- The format remains unchanged: 20 teams divided into four groups of five; top two from each advance to the Super 8 stage.
Tournament Highlights
- The India vs Pakistan clash draws huge global interest, so locking it in at the group stage adds major buzz.
- With the event back partially in India after a decade, local fan engagement and ticket‑demand are expected to surge.
- Opportunity for emerging teams (e.g., USA, Netherlands, Namibia) to make big waves.
- Clear venue and date structure give teams more time to plan logistics, form, and strategy.
