Dubai, November 26, 2025:
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the venue lineup for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, confirming that India and Sri Lanka will co-host one of the most anticipated cricketing events of the decade. Running from February 8 to March 1, 2026, the expanded 55-match tournament will unfold across 12 iconic venues, igniting excitement among millions of cricket fans.
India’s premier stadiums—including Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Chinnaswamy Stadium (Bengaluru), Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi), and MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai)—will host key fixtures. The ICC confirmed that the final will take place at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 1, with semifinals likely in Mumbai and Kolkata.
Sri Lanka will host select group-stage matches at R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo) and Pallekele International Stadium, adding regional flair to the competition.
The announcement has amplified chatter around blockbuster rivalries, especially the potential India vs. Pakistan showdown, expected to draw record-breaking viewership. Social media erupted under #T20WC2026, with fans debating dream matchups and revisiting the legacy of iconic venues.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav welcomed the news with confidence, joking that he’d like “another shot at Australia in the final”—a nod to India’s painful 2023 ODI World Cup loss—while urging his team to stay composed. Rohit Sharma, the 2024 T20 World Cup–winning captain and the official ambassador for the 2026 event, echoed a philosophy of “process over opponents.”
The ICC’s announcement comes amid large-scale infrastructure upgrades across host cities, including enhanced security measures and digital fan engagement systems. Organizers expect ticket sales to open soon, with projections suggesting the event could surpass the record viewership numbers of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
With the subcontinent’s cricket fever hitting early highs, the 2026 edition promises to be a landmark moment—not just for India and Sri Lanka, but for T20 cricket’s expanding global footprint.
