T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule

Complete Guide to the T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Date | Time (IST) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07 Feb 2026 | 11:00 AM | Pakistan vs Netherlands | SSC, Colombo |
| 07 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | West Indies vs Bangladesh | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| 07 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | India vs USA | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 08 Feb 2026 | 11:00 AM | New Zealand vs Afghanistan | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 08 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | England vs Nepal | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 08 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | Sri Lanka vs Ireland | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| 09 Feb 2026 | 11:00 AM | Bangladesh vs Italy | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| 09 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | Zimbabwe vs Oman | SSC, Colombo |
| 09 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | South Africa vs Canada | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| 10 Feb 2026 | 11:00 AM | Netherlands vs Namibia | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| 10 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | New Zealand vs UAE | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 10 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | Pakistan vs USA | SSC, Colombo |
| 11 Feb 2026 | 11:00 AM | South Africa vs Afghanistan | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| 11 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | Australia vs Ireland | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| 11 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | England vs West Indies | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 12 Feb 2026 | 11:00 AM | Sri Lanka vs Oman | Pallekele Stadium, Kandy |
| 12 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | Nepal vs Italy | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 12 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | India vs Namibia | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| 13 Feb 2026 | 11:00 AM | Australia vs Zimbabwe | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| 13 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | Canada vs UAE | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| 13 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | USA vs Netherlands | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 11:00 AM | Ireland vs Oman | SSC, Colombo |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | England vs Bangladesh | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | New Zealand vs South Africa | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| 15 Feb 2026 | 11:00 AM | West Indies vs Nepal | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 15 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | USA vs Namibia | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 15 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | India vs Pakistan | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| 16 Feb 2026 | 11:00 AM | Afghanistan vs UAE | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| 16 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | England vs Italy | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| 16 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | Australia vs Sri Lanka | Pallekele Stadium, Kandy |
| 17 Feb 2026 | 11:00 AM | New Zealand vs Canada | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 17 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | Ireland vs Zimbabwe | Pallekele Stadium, Kandy |
| 17 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | Bangladesh vs Nepal | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 18 Feb 2026 | 11:00 AM | South Africa vs UAE | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| 18 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | Pakistan vs Namibia | SSC, Colombo |
| 18 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | India vs Netherlands | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| 19 Feb 2026 | 11:00 AM | West Indies vs Italy | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| 19 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| 19 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | Afghanistan vs Canada | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 20 Feb 2026 | — | No 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:
- Group Stage
- Super 8 Stage
- Semi-Finals
- 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
- Narendra Modi Stadium – Ahmedabad
One of the world’s largest cricket stadiums and the likely venue for the final. - Eden Gardens – Kolkata
Historic and atmospheric, a favorite for big matches. - Wankhede Stadium – Mumbai
A high-voltage venue with electric crowds. - M. A. Chidambaram Stadium – Chennai
Spin-friendly pitches and passionate fans. - Arun Jaitley Stadium – New Delhi
A modern cricketing venue with strong spectator support.
Sri Lanka – T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule
- R. Premadasa Stadium – Colombo
Major venue for key matches and potential knockout flexibility. - Sinhalese Sports Club Ground – Colombo
Historic ground with competitive pitch conditions. - 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):
| Date | Match | Venue |
| 7 Feb 2026 | Pakistan vs Netherlands | SSC, Colombo |
| 10 Feb 2026 | Pakistan vs USA | SSC, Colombo |
| 15 Feb 2026 | Pakistan vs India | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| 18 Feb 2026 | Pakistan vs Namibia | SSC, 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!