T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule

T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule

Complete Guide to the T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule

Date Time (IST) Match Venue
07 Feb 202611:00 AMPakistan vs NetherlandsSSC, Colombo
07 Feb 202603:00 PMWest Indies vs BangladeshEden Gardens, Kolkata
07 Feb 202607:00 PMIndia vs USAWankhede Stadium, Mumbai
08 Feb 202611:00 AMNew Zealand vs AfghanistanMA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
08 Feb 202603:00 PMEngland vs NepalWankhede Stadium, Mumbai
08 Feb 202607:00 PMSri Lanka vs IrelandR. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
09 Feb 202611:00 AMBangladesh vs ItalyEden Gardens, Kolkata
09 Feb 202603:00 PMZimbabwe vs OmanSSC, Colombo
09 Feb 202607:00 PMSouth Africa vs CanadaNarendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
10 Feb 202611:00 AMNetherlands vs NamibiaArun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
10 Feb 202603:00 PMNew Zealand vs UAEMA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
10 Feb 202607:00 PMPakistan vs USASSC, Colombo
11 Feb 202611:00 AMSouth Africa vs AfghanistanNarendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
11 Feb 202603:00 PMAustralia vs IrelandR. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
11 Feb 202607:00 PMEngland vs West IndiesWankhede Stadium, Mumbai
12 Feb 202611:00 AMSri Lanka vs OmanPallekele Stadium, Kandy
12 Feb 202603:00 PMNepal vs ItalyWankhede Stadium, Mumbai
12 Feb 202607:00 PMIndia vs NamibiaArun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
13 Feb 202611:00 AMAustralia vs ZimbabweR. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
13 Feb 202603:00 PMCanada vs UAEArun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
13 Feb 202607:00 PMUSA vs NetherlandsMA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
14 Feb 202611:00 AMIreland vs OmanSSC, Colombo
14 Feb 202603:00 PMEngland vs BangladeshEden Gardens, Kolkata
14 Feb 202607:00 PMNew Zealand vs South AfricaNarendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
15 Feb 202611:00 AMWest Indies vs NepalWankhede Stadium, Mumbai
15 Feb 202603:00 PMUSA vs NamibiaMA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
15 Feb 202607:00 PMIndia vs PakistanR. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
16 Feb 202611:00 AMAfghanistan vs UAEArun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
16 Feb 202603:00 PMEngland vs ItalyEden Gardens, Kolkata
16 Feb 202607:00 PMAustralia vs Sri LankaPallekele Stadium, Kandy
17 Feb 202611:00 AMNew Zealand vs CanadaMA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
17 Feb 202603:00 PMIreland vs ZimbabwePallekele Stadium, Kandy
17 Feb 202607:00 PMBangladesh vs NepalWankhede Stadium, Mumbai
18 Feb 202611:00 AMSouth Africa vs UAEArun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
18 Feb 202603:00 PMPakistan vs NamibiaSSC, Colombo
18 Feb 202607:00 PMIndia vs NetherlandsNarendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
19 Feb 202611:00 AMWest Indies vs ItalyEden Gardens, Kolkata
19 Feb 202603:00 PMSri Lanka vs ZimbabweR. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
19 Feb 202607:00 PMAfghanistan vs CanadaMA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
20 Feb 2026No Group Matches (Reserve Day)

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is one of the most anticipated global sporting events of the year, bringing together the best international teams in the fast-paced, exciting Twenty20 format. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule from 7 February to 8 March 2026, featuring 20 teams across 55 blockbuster matches.

Fans around the cricketing world are eagerly awaiting this spectacle — and with reason. From the opening battle to the final showdown, the 2026 T20 World Cup promises drama, thrills, and unforgettable moments under the lights. Here’s a comprehensive look at the schedule, format, venues, group stage, Super 8s, and knockout matches — everything you need to know!

Tournament Overview T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is the tenth edition of the event, organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Twenty teams will compete in a structured format that begins with a group stage and culminates in the knockout rounds — including semi-finals and the grand final.

Host Countries and Dates

  • Hosts: India and Sri Lanka
  • Start Date: 7 February 2026
  • Final: 8 March 2026
  • Total Matches: 55 matches across all rounds
  • Tournament Structure:
    1. Group Stage
    2. Super 8 Stage
    3. Semi-Finals
    4. Final

Twenty teams from across the globe will battle for the prestigious T20 crown, including traditional cricket powerhouses and emerging nations. The tournament’s staging in iconic venues across India and Sri Lanka ensures a vibrant atmosphere and world-class cricketing action.

Group Stage: 7–20 February

The group stage opens the tournament with four groups of five teams each, making the first phase highly competitive. Each team plays four matches, and the top two teams from each group qualify for the Super 8 stage.

Group A

  • India
  • Pakistan
  • USA
  • Namibia
  • Netherlands

Group B

  • Australia
  • Sri Lanka
  • Zimbabwe
  • Ireland
  • Oman

Group C

  • England
  • West Indies
  • Bangladesh
  • Italy
  • Nepal

Group D

  • South Africa
  • New Zealand
  • Afghanistan
  • Canada
  • UAE

Key Matches on Opening Day (7 February)

The tournament kicks off with three exciting matches on 7 February 2026, showcasing a mix of established and emerging teams.

  • Pakistan vs Netherlands – Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
  • West Indies vs Bangladesh – Eden Gardens, Kolkata
  • India vs USA – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

This triple-header format offers fans 24 hours of continuous cricketing action, promising an explosive start to the World Cup.

Notable Group Stage Fixtures

Some fixtures fans will mark on their calendars include:

  • India vs Namibia – New Delhi
  • England vs Nepal – Mumbai
  • South Africa vs Canada – Ahmedabad
  • Sri Lanka vs Ireland – Colombo
  • Australia vs Zimbabwe – Colombo

All these matches are spread between 7 and 20 February at iconic venues in both host countries, offering diverse pitch conditions and strategic challenges.

Venues: Where the Action Happens

The matches will be hosted across eight world-class stadiums in India and Sri Lanka, each with a rich cricketing heritage.

India – T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule

  1. Narendra Modi Stadium – Ahmedabad
    One of the world’s largest cricket stadiums and the likely venue for the final.
  2. Eden Gardens – Kolkata
    Historic and atmospheric, a favorite for big matches.
  3. Wankhede Stadium – Mumbai
    A high-voltage venue with electric crowds.
  4. M. A. Chidambaram Stadium – Chennai
    Spin-friendly pitches and passionate fans.
  5. Arun Jaitley Stadium – New Delhi
    A modern cricketing venue with strong spectator support.

Sri Lanka – T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule

  1. R. Premadasa Stadium – Colombo
    Major venue for key matches and potential knockout flexibility.
  2. Sinhalese Sports Club Ground – Colombo
    Historic ground with competitive pitch conditions.
  3. Pallekele International Cricket Stadium – Kandy
    Known for balanced pitch play and scenic location.

These host cities offer a mix of fast, spin-assisting, and balanced decks, ensuring that players and teams must adapt their strategies to succeed.

Super 8 Stage: 21 February–1 March

After the group stage, the top two teams from each group move into the Super 8s. This stage consists of two groups of four teams each, where teams play three matches. Performance here determines the four semi-finalists.

The Super 8s bring intense matchups, often featuring teams that didn’t meet in the group stages, raising the tactical stakes for every game.

Qualified teams carry momentum into this second round, where consistency often trumps individual brilliance. The goal? Reach the coveted knockout stage.

Knockout Stage: The Final Push

Semi-Finals

  • Match 1: 4 March 2026
  • Match 2: 5 March 2026
  • Venues:
    • Eden Gardens, Kolkata (or Colombo, depending on teams)
    • Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Final

  • Date: 8 March 2026
  • Primary Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
  • Alternative Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (if Pakistan qualifies for these matches)

The crescendo of the tournament rolls into early March with the semi-finals and the final. Top teams like India, Australia, England, and others will be aiming to peak at the right time, and the final is expected to draw a record global live audience.

India vs Pakistan: The Rivalry Match

Cricket’s greatest rivalry shines brightest on the global stage. The India vs Pakistan clash in the 2026 T20 World Cup was initially scheduled for 15 February 2026 at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

However, political tensions between the two countries have raised uncertainty about this marquee matchup, with reports suggesting Pakistan may boycott this fixture. Negotiations are ongoing between cricket boards, governments, and the ICC to find a resolution for fans worldwide.

This situation means the historic encounter might face disruptions or rescheduling, depending on diplomatic developments closer to the date.

Match Timings and Broadcast

Most matches in the T20 World Cup follow three specific start times in Pakistan Standard Time (PKT) — taking into account the local venues’ time differences:

  • 10:30 AM PKT (Morning games)
  • 2:30 PM PKT (Afternoon games)
  • 6:30 PM PKT (Prime time / Night games)

These timings help maximize viewership across South Asia, Europe, and global markets. Games are widely broadcast through official ICC partners and streaming platforms, with many local providers offering special packages for fans.

Pakistan’s Fixture Breakdown for T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule

For Pakistan fans, here’s a quick look at the Green Shirts’ group stage matches (subject to any changes due to the India vs Pakistan situation):

DateMatchVenue
7 Feb 2026Pakistan vs NetherlandsSSC, Colombo
10 Feb 2026Pakistan vs USASSC, Colombo
15 Feb 2026Pakistan vs IndiaR. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
18 Feb 2026Pakistan vs NamibiaSSC, Colombo

Pakistan’s games will primarily take place in Sri Lanka under ICC scheduling arrangements, ensuring neutral venues for geopolitical sensitivity.

Why This Tournament Matters

The T20 World Cup has grown into the premier short-format global competition — a cricketing carnival where emerging teams can upset giants and legends are born overnight. With new teams like Italy qualifying and others returning to the global stage, the 2026 edition could be one of the most unpredictable and exciting yet.

From strategic battles in the Super 8s to a nail-biting final at Ahmedabad, fans across cricketing nations will be glued to their screens for every boundary and wicket.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a die-hard follower of your national team or just love cricket’s fastest fireworks, the T20 World Cup 2026 schedule offers something for everyone. With action spanning over a month and 55 matches across iconic venues, this tournament is set to be a historic cricketing spectacle.

Mark your calendars, book your tickets (if traveling), and prepare for one of the biggest sporting celebrations of 2026!

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