T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule Drops Today: ICC Confirms Big Announcement Timing

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to unveil the full schedule for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup on Tuesday, November 25, at 6:30 p.m. IST, marking a key milestone in preparations for the ninth edition of the tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. As defending champions after their thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the 2024 final in Barbados, India enters the event with high expectations under captain Suryakumar Yadav, while Sri Lanka aims to leverage home advantage across February and March 2026. The announcement event will feature prominent figures including former India captain Rohit Sharma, current skipper Suryakumar Yadav, women's team leader Harmanpreet Kaur, and Sri Lankan legend Angelo Mathews, promising insights into the tournament's structure and potential rivalries.

The 20-team lineup mirrors the expanded format introduced in 2024, featuring a mix of Test nations and Associates: India, Sri Lanka (hosts), Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, United States, West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Canada, Netherlands, Italy, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Matches will be distributed across venues in India and Sri Lanka, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) agreeing that Pakistan's fixtures will all take place in Sri Lanka to avoid logistical and security concerns. Should Pakistan advance to the final, it too will be hosted in Sri Lanka, underscoring the diplomatic arrangements shaping the event.

The tournament format remains unchanged from the 2024 edition, ensuring high-octane action with 55 matches over 29 days. The 20 teams will be divided into four groups of five, where each side plays the others once in a round-robin setup; the top two from each group progress to two Super Eight groups of four teams each, with semifinals for the top two from those stages leading to the grand finale. Group stage venues are expected to include iconic grounds like Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, Kolkata's Eden Gardens, and Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium, though exact allocations will be confirmed during the reveal. Speculation is rife that traditional rivals India and Pakistan could be drawn in the same group, adding early fireworks to the schedule.

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Fans in India can catch the live announcement on the Star Sports network, with digital streaming available on the JioHotstar app and website for seamless access. The event's timing aligns with global cricket calendars, bridging the gap between the ongoing India-South Africa Test series and the IPL auction in late 2025. This T20 World Cup holds added significance as the last major ICC event before the 2028 edition, with the ICC aiming to build on the 2024 tournament's record viewership of over 1.5 billion. As anticipation builds, the schedule drop promises to ignite planning for traveling supporters and strategic preparations for teams eyeing the trophy.

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