ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026: Complete Schedule, Teams, Venues, Format, and Detailed Charts

🗓️ Published on: December 20, 2025 11:19 pm

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling global cricket tournaments in history. Hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka, this mega event will feature 20 international teams, iconic venues, high-pressure matches, and fierce rivalries that define the shortest format of the game.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

With cricket-crazy crowds, diverse pitch conditions, and a packed schedule, the 2026 T20 World Cup promises entertainment, drama, and unforgettable moments from start to finish.

This article presents a complete breakdown with chart tables, making it easy to understand every aspect of the tournament—from dates and venues to teams, groups, key matches, and knockouts.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Tournament Timeline (Chart)

StageDates
Opening Match7 February 2026
Group Stage7 Feb – 20 Feb 2026
Super 8 Stage21 Feb – 29 Feb 2026
Semi-Finals4 & 6 March 2026
Final8 March 2026
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Host Countries and Cricketing Significance

India and Sri Lanka are among the most passionate cricketing nations in the world. Hosting the T20 World Cup in these countries guarantees packed stadiums, electric atmospheres, and strong home-team performances.

  • India offers high-scoring pitches and massive crowds.
  • Sri Lanka adds balance with spin-friendly surfaces and tactical battles.

Official Venues – Stadium Chart

🇮🇳 India Venues

CityStadium
AhmedabadNarendra Modi Stadium
MumbaiWankhede Stadium
KolkataEden Gardens
ChennaiM. A. Chidambaram Stadium
New DelhiArun Jaitley Stadium

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Venues

CityStadium
ColomboR. Premadasa Stadium
ColomboSinhalese Sports Club
KandyPallekele International Stadium

Total Teams Participating (Chart)

RegionTeams
AsiaIndia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Nepal
EuropeEngland, Ireland, Netherlands, Italy
OceaniaAustralia, New Zealand
AfricaSouth Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia
AmericasWest Indies, USA, Canada

Total Teams: 20

Group Division – Official Groups Table

Group A

Team
India
Pakistan
USA
Namibia
Netherlands

Group B

Team
Australia
Sri Lanka
Ireland
Zimbabwe
Oman

Group C

Team
England
West Indies
Bangladesh
Nepal
Italy

Group D

Team
South Africa
New Zealand
Afghanistan
Canada
UAE

Tournament Format Explained (Chart)

StageTeamsMatches per TeamQualification
Group Stage204Top 2 advance
Super 883Top 2 advance
Semi-Finals41Winners to Final
Final21Champion

🇮🇳 India’s Group Stage Matches (Chart)

MatchOpponentVenueMatch Time
Match 1USAMumbaiEvening
Match 2NamibiaDelhiEvening
Match 3NetherlandsChennaiAfternoon
Match 4PakistanColomboNight

India enters the tournament as one of the strongest title contenders, backed by experience, depth, and home support.

Also read: Australia vs England Cricket: Current Match Update

🇮🇳 vs 🇵🇰 India vs Pakistan – The Biggest Clash

DetailInformation
StageGroup Stage
DateMid-February 2026
VenueColombo
TimeNight Match
ImportanceHigh-stakes rivalry

This match alone draws hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide and often defines the momentum of the group.

Super 8 Stage Overview (Chart)

Super 8 GroupTeams (Top from Groups)
Super 8 Group 1Group A & B qualifiers
Super 8 Group 2Group C & D qualifiers

Each team plays three matches, and consistency becomes crucial.

Also read: IPL 2026 Schedule: Full Match List, Start Date, Teams, Venues & All You Need to Know

Knockout Stage Schedule (Chart)

MatchDateVenue
Semi-Final 14 March 2026India
Semi-Final 26 March 2026Sri Lanka
Final8 March 2026India / Sri Lanka

Match Timings (IST Chart)

Match SlotTime
Morning Match11:00 AM
Afternoon Match3:00 PM
Evening Match7:00 PM

Top Contenders for the Title (Chart)

TeamStrength
IndiaBalanced squad, home advantage
EnglandAggressive T20 approach
AustraliaBig-match temperament
PakistanUnpredictable match-winners
New ZealandTactical discipline

Records That Could Be Broken

Record TypePossibility
Most Runs in a T20 WCHigh
Fastest CenturyVery High
Most SixesExtremely High
Best Bowling FiguresPossible

Why T20 World Cup 2026 Is Special

FactorReason
HostsIndia & Sri Lanka
Teams20 (expanded format)
VenuesIconic stadiums
RivalriesIndia vs Pakistan
EntertainmentHigh-scoring matches

Also read: South Africa India cricket: South Africa vs India T20 Match Today – Full Match Details

conclusion

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is more than just a tournament—it is a global celebration of cricket. With world-class venues, passionate fans, and the best players on the planet, this event is set to redefine T20 cricket once again.

From group-stage thrillers to pressure-packed knockouts and a grand final watched by billions, the 2026 edition will leave a lasting legacy in cricket history.