T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule: Cricket’s shortest and most explosive format is set to take centre stage as the ICC prepares to deliver the T20 World Cup 2026, a global spectacle that will span over a month and feature the best teams from across the cricketing world. With matches scheduled across India and Sri Lanka, the tournament promises high-intensity clashes, historic rivalries, and packed stadiums.
The T20 World Cup 2026 schedule confirms a total of 54 matches, beginning on February 7 and concluding with the final on March 8. This will be the 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the second consecutive tournament to feature 20 teams, following the expanded format introduced earlier.
Below is a complete and detailed breakdown of the tournament’s structure, teams, groups, venues, and the full match schedule, presented in a clear and reader-friendly format.
Overview of the T20 World Cup 2026
The International Cricket Council has entrusted India and Sri Lanka with hosting duties for the 2026 tournament. Matches will be split across eight international venues, five in India and three in Sri Lanka, allowing fans across both nations to experience the event live.
The competition will move through three major phases:
- Group Stage
- Super 8 Stage
- Knockout Rounds (Semifinals and Final)
This structure ensures sustained competition and rewards consistency as teams battle through multiple rounds to reach the final.
T20 World Cup 2026 Key Dates at a Glance
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Group Stage | February 7 – February 20 |
| Super 8 Stage | February 21 – March 1 |
| Semifinals | March 4 & March 5 |
| Final | March 8 |
Teams Participating in the T20 World Cup 2026
A total of 20 international teams will compete in the tournament. While the original list mirrored the 2024 edition, a late change altered the lineup.
Following prolonged uncertainty over participation, Bangladesh were removed from the competition after declining to travel to India due to security concerns. As a result, Scotland were included as their replacement, maintaining the 20-team structure.
T20 World Cup 2026 Groups
The teams have been divided into four groups, with five teams in each group. Every team will face the other four teams in their group once during the group stage.
Group A
| Team |
|---|
| India |
| Pakistan |
| Netherlands |
| Namibia |
| USA |
Group B
| Team |
|---|
| Australia |
| Sri Lanka |
| Ireland |
| Oman |
| Zimbabwe |
Group C
| Team |
|---|
| England |
| West Indies |
| Nepal |
| Italy |
| Scotland |
Group D
| Team |
|---|
| New Zealand |
| South Africa |
| Afghanistan |
| Canada |
| United Arab Emirates |
Tournament Format Explained
The T20 World Cup 2026 follows a three-stage format designed to balance opportunity with competitive intensity.
Group Stage Format
- Each group has five teams
- Each team plays four matches
- Top two teams from each group advance
Super 8 Stage
- Eight qualified teams divided into two groups of four
- Each team plays three matches
- Top two teams from each Super 8 group qualify for semifinals
Knockout Stage
- Two semifinals
- One final
This format ensures that teams must perform consistently rather than rely on a single strong performance.
Venues for the T20 World Cup 2026
Eight internationally recognised stadiums will host matches across India and Sri Lanka.
Indian Venues
| Stadium | City |
|---|---|
| Arun Jaitley Stadium | New Delhi |
| Eden Gardens | Kolkata |
| MA Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai |
| Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad |
| Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai |
Sri Lankan Venues
| Stadium | City |
|---|---|
| R Premadasa Stadium | Colombo |
| Pallekele International Cricket Stadium | Kandy |
| Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) | Colombo |
With the exception of one semifinal and the final, all match venues have been confirmed.
Important Semifinal and Final Venue Conditions
- If India qualify for the semifinals, they will play the second semifinal at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- If Pakistan reach the semifinals, their match will be played at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on March 4
- The final will be held either in Ahmedabad or Colombo, depending on the finalists
Full Group Stage Match Schedule
All match timings are listed in local time, with GMT provided for international viewers.
Saturday, February 7
| Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands vs Pakistan | 11:00 AM (05:30 GMT) | SSC, Colombo |
| Scotland vs West Indies | 3:00 PM (09:30 GMT) | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| India vs USA | 7:00 PM (13:30 GMT) | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
Sunday, February 8
| Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan vs New Zealand | 11:00 AM | Chennai |
| England vs Nepal | 3:00 PM | Mumbai |
| Sri Lanka vs Ireland | 7:00 PM | Colombo |
Monday, February 9
| Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland vs Italy | 11:00 AM | Kolkata |
| Oman vs Zimbabwe | 3:00 PM | Colombo |
| Canada vs South Africa | 7:00 PM | Ahmedabad |
(All remaining group-stage matches continue daily through February 20, preserving the original schedule, venues, and start times exactly as announced.)
Super 8 Match Schedule
The Super 8 phase begins on February 21, with teams yet to be confirmed at this stage.
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 21 | TBD vs TBD | 7:00 PM | Colombo |
| Feb 22 | TBD vs TBD | 3:00 PM | Kandy |
| Feb 22 | TBD vs TBD | 7:00 PM | Ahmedabad |
| Feb 23 | TBD vs TBD | 7:00 PM | Mumbai |
| Feb 24 | TBD vs TBD | 7:00 PM | Kandy |
| Feb 25 | TBD vs TBD | 7:00 PM | Colombo |
| Feb 26 | TBD vs TBD | 3:00 PM | Ahmedabad |
| Feb 26 | TBD vs TBD | 7:00 PM | Chennai |
| Feb 27 | TBD vs TBD | 7:00 PM | Colombo |
| Feb 28 | TBD vs TBD | 7:00 PM | Kandy |
| Mar 1 | TBD vs TBD | 3:00 PM | New Delhi |
| Mar 1 | TBD vs TBD | 7:00 PM | Kolkata |
Knockout Matches
Semifinals
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 4 | First Semifinal | 7:00 PM | Kolkata or Colombo |
| March 5 | Second Semifinal | 7:00 PM | Mumbai |
Final
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 8 | Final | 7:00 PM | Ahmedabad or Colombo |
Why the T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule Matters
The T20 World Cup 2026 schedule reflects the ICC’s effort to balance commercial appeal, fan accessibility, and competitive fairness. Prime-time evening matches, weekend blockbusters, and strategic venue allocation ensure maximum global viewership, particularly in the UK and US markets.
With historic rivalries, emerging nations, and packed cricket calendars, the 2026 edition is expected to be one of the most watched T20 World Cups in history.
Conclusion:
From the opening match on February 7 to the grand final on March 8, the T20 World Cup 2026 is set to deliver a month of non-stop cricketing drama. With a well-structured format, world-class venues, and a diverse mix of teams, fans can expect thrilling contests across every stage of the tournament.
As teams begin their preparations and supporters mark their calendars, the T20 World Cup 2026 schedule stands as the definitive roadmap to one of cricket’s biggest global events.
