The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled details for the 10th edition of the Men's T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026, promising a thrilling spectacle across eight iconic venues with 55 high-octane matches involving 20 teams. The tournament kicks off with Pakistan facing the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7, setting the stage for intense group-stage battles divided into five pools of four teams each, where the top two from every group advance to the Super Eights. Highlights include India versus the USA at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, West Indies clashing with Bangladesh at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and a blockbuster final on March 8 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad—potentially shifting to Colombo if Pakistan qualifies due to logistical considerations. The semi-finals are slated for March 4 in Kolkata and March 5 in Mumbai, with similar venue adjustments for Pakistan's involvement.
Ticket sales for the mega-event commence at 6:45 p.m. IST on December 11, 2025, offering over 2 million seats to fans worldwide, marking a historic push for accessibility. Priced to democratise cricket fandom, entry-level tickets start as low as Rs 100 at select Indian venues like Eden Gardens and Wankhede Stadium, while in Sri Lanka, they begin at LKR 1,000—equivalent to about Rs 294. Premium categories, including VIP and hospitality packages, will range higher, with exact pricing varying by match and seating, but the ICC's focus on affordability aims to include fans from diverse backgrounds, geographies, and financial means, as emphasised by ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta.
Booking is straightforward and exclusively available through the official partner BookMyShow platform, accessible via their website or app, where fans can secure seats for individual matches, tournament passes, or bundled options. Early bird registrations on the ICC's official site allow users to set alerts for high-demand games like the India opener or semi-finals, with a cap on purchases per transaction to ensure fair distribution. International buyers can use global payment gateways, and the platform supports multiple languages and currencies for seamless access, though Indian fans are advised to act swiftly given the anticipated frenzy for marquee clashes.
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The venues blend India's cricketing heartlands with Sri Lanka's storied grounds: in India, Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), and Eden Gardens (Kolkata); in Sri Lanka, R. Premadasa Stadium and Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (both Colombo), plus Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy). These pitches, known for their bounce and spin-friendly surfaces, will host a format emphasising aggressive T20 play, with weather forecasts predicting balmy conditions ideal for floodlit thrillers.
Participating teams feature a mix of powerhouses and emerging nations, including hosts India and Sri Lanka, defending champions England, archrivals Australia and Pakistan, and underdogs like Uganda and Namibia, all vying in a revamped structure to crown the ultimate T20 champions. The event builds on the 2024 edition's success in the West Indies and USA, which drew record viewership, and aligns with the ICC's global expansion strategy amid India's dominance in the sport's ecosystem.
As anticipation builds, the 2026 T20 World Cup not only celebrates cricket's evolution but also fosters cross-border unity between India and Sri Lanka, with potential for record-breaking attendance and digital engagement through live streaming on platforms like Disney+ Hotstar. Fans are urged to monitor official channels for updates, as this edition promises to redefine T20 boundaries on the subcontinent's vibrant stages.
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