India is set to anchor the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup with five major cities shortlisted as match venues, while Ahmedabad has been designated to host the final of the tournament. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has identified Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai as the principal venues for the February-March event, reaffirming the country’s position as the sport’s global centrepiece.
Ahmedabad, which staged the 2023 ODI World Cup final between India and Australia, remains the preferred choice for the showpiece match, owing to its vast capacity and modern infrastructure. The Narendra Modi Stadium, the largest cricket arena in the world, can accommodate over one lakh spectators and has become the BCCI’s venue of choice for major finals.
It is understood that the International Cricket Council will unveil the complete schedule next week.
Also read: India's Olympic bid: Ahmedabad's Sardar Patel stadium to be venue, says HM Shah
Next year’s edition will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka under an arrangement that designates the island nation as a neutral venue for Pakistan. As part of this structure, Sri Lanka will stage matches across three locations, including Colombo.
India will enter the home tournament as defending champions, following their title victory in Barbados in June last year. The five shortlisted venues in India fall within Tier-1 cities and are expected to draw substantial crowds throughout the competition.
If Pakistan qualify for the final, the match will be shifted to Sri Lanka, as the neutral-venue agreement remains in force until 2027. Under the trilateral understanding between the ICC, the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board, India and Pakistan will play all fixtures against each other at neutral venues during this period.
Follow us
