Cricket’s biggest short-format spectacle is returning to South Asia, and the ICC has finalised venues for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with India and Sri Lanka confirmed as co-hosts for the mega event scheduled from February 7 to March 8, 2026.
Venues for India and Sri Lanka
According to reports, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai will serve as the Indian venues, while Colombo and Kandy have been shortlisted for Sri Lanka.
The grand finale is expected to be played at the world’s largest cricket stadium—the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad—provided Pakistan does not qualify, while the opening fixtures are likely to be shared between the two countries.
Pakistan to play all matches in Sri Lanka
Once again, Pakistan is slated to play all its matches in Sri Lanka, as per the standing agreement between the PCB and BCCI that mandates both nations to play at neutral venues whenever one hosts a multi-nation ICC event.
If Pakistan qualifies for the final, the title match will also shift to Sri Lanka, maintaining the neutrality clause.
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This decision ensures that Pakistani fans will once again see their team in familiar subcontinental conditions, reminiscent of the team’s successful campaigns in Asia in recent years.
The tournament format remains unchanged from the 2024 edition—20 teams divided into four groups of five, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super Eight stage. From there, the top two teams in each Super Eight group will progress to the semi-finals, followed by the grand final.
All 20 teams for the tournament have already been confirmed.
For Pakistan, this edition represents both a challenge and an opportunity—to end a title drought that stretches back to 2009 and to make a statement under the familiar skies of Sri Lanka.
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With the official schedule and ticketing information expected to be released next week, the stage is set for another high-stakes cricket tournament. With the venues now confirmed, Pakistan can begin preparing for the 2026 T20 World Cup, where Salman Ali Agha’s men will aim to script another glorious chapter in green.
