The ICC has officially released the full schedule for the T20 World Cup 2026, and the excitement has instantly doubled. The mega tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March 2026. A total of 20 teams, divided into four groups, will fight for the trophy across eight venues – five in India and three in Sri Lanka.
India, the defending champions, will look to protect their crown after lifting the 2024 title under Rohit Sharma. This edition also marks the first time 20 teams will compete in a Men’s T20 World Cup.
India Placed in Group A, Big Clash vs Pakistan on 15 February
Team India has been placed in Group A, along with:
- Pakistan
- USA
- Netherlands
- Namibia
India will start their tournament with a match against USA, while the most-awaited fixture – India vs Pakistan – will be played on 15 February in Colombo. Due to the ICC–BCCI–PCB agreement that mandates neutral venues for IND vs PAK matches till 2027, Colombo has been chosen as the venue for the marquee clash.
T20 World Cup 2026 – India Full Schedule
India’s Group Stage Fixtures
- India vs USA – 7 February, Mumbai
- India vs Namibia – 12 February, Delhi
- India vs Pakistan – 15 February, Colombo
- India vs Netherlands – 18 February, Ahmedabad
India will travel across both host nations, making this one of the most widely spread schedules for the team in recent years.
Tournament Format
The 20 teams are divided into four groups:
Group A:
India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia
Group B:
Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman
Group C:
England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy
Group D:
New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE
From each group, top two teams will qualify for the Super Eight stage. After that, the top four will move to the semifinals.
Venue Details – Matches Across 8 Stadiums
India Venues (5)
- Mumbai – Wankhede Stadium
- Delhi – Arun Jaitley Stadium
- Chennai – Chepauk Stadium
- Kolkata – Eden Gardens
- Ahmedabad – Narendra Modi Stadium
Sri Lanka Venues (3)
- Colombo – R Premadasa Stadium
- Colombo – SSC Ground
- Kandy – Pallekele Stadium
Colombo will host the India–Pakistan match and may also host the semifinal or final if Pakistan qualifies, according to the ICC’s neutral-venue agreement.
Semifinal & Final – Special Venue Rules
- Semifinal 1 (4 March):
- If Pakistan qualifies → Colombo
- If Pakistan fails to qualify → Kolkata (Eden Gardens)
- Semifinal 2 (5 March):
- Mumbai (Wankhede Stadium)
- Final (8 March):
- If Pakistan qualifies → Colombo
- If Pakistan doesn’t qualify → Ahmedabad (Narendra Modi Stadium)
This rule has been added to avoid Pakistan’s travel restrictions for matches in India.
Rohit Sharma Named Brand Ambassador
ICC Chairman Jay Shah confirmed that Rohit Sharma India’s 2024 T20 World Cup-winning captain—has been appointed the official brand ambassador for the 2026 edition. His leadership, experience, and popularity make him the ideal face of the tournament.
The T20 World Cup 2026 promises to be one of the biggest cricket events ever, with matches in two nations, a 20-team format, historic venues, and the high-voltage India–Pakistan battle on neutral soil. As India defends its crown at home, all eyes will be on how the team performs under pressure in front of passionate crowds.
