The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday unveiled the full schedule for the 2026 T20 World Cup at a special event in Mumbai, confirming that the tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. A total of 55 matches will be played across eight venues over the course of a month with 20 teams split into four groups of five before progressing into the Super Eight stage and the knockouts.
Defending champions India have been placed in Group A, where they will renew their fierce rivalry with Pakistan, alongside the United States, Netherlands and Namibia. With a mix of familiar opponents and high-pressure fixtures, India’s group-stage run has been carefully mapped out across three Indian cities and Colombo.
As per the confirmed schedule, India will begin their campaign on February 7 against the USA in Mumbai, followed by a clash against Namibia on February 12 in New Delhi. All eyes, however, will be on the blockbuster India vs Pakistan encounter on February 15 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, a contest which is expected to draw global attention and could play a decisive role in shaping the Super Eight equation. India will wrap up their group-stage campaign against the Netherlands on February 18 in Ahmedabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Former India T20I captain Rohit Sharma, who led the side to their 2024 title triumph, was present at the announcement ceremony, alongside India Women’s World Cup-winning skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and current men’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. During the event, ICC Chairman Jay Shah also revealed that Rohit Sharma has been named the brand ambassador for the T20 World Cup 2026.
India head into the tournament as the reigning champions after clinching their second T20 World Cup crown in 2024 with a dramatic seven-run victory over South Africa in the final in Barbados. That win added to their historic maiden title in 2007 and reinforced their reputation as one of the major forces in the shortest format.
The 20 teams have been divided into four groups of five, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the Super Eight stage.
India’s Super Eight fixtures, should they progress, will be played in Ahmedabad, Chennai and Kolkata. In the event of a semi-final qualification, India will feature in Mumbai. The second semi-final is slated for Colombo or Kolkata, depending on whether Pakistan or Sri Lanka makes the last four. The final is scheduled in Ahmedabad with Colombo designated as an alternative venue should Pakistan reach the title clash.
The groups:
Group A: India, Pakistan, United States, 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, United Arab Emirates
Host venues:
India
Delhi: Arun Jaitley Stadium
Ahmedabad: Narendra Modi Stadium
Mumbai: Wankhede Stadium
Chennai: MA Chidambaram Stadium
Kolkata: Eden Gardens
Sri Lanka
Colombo: R Premadasa Stadium
Colombo: Sinhalese Sports Club
Kandy: Pallekele International Stadium
India’s group-stage fixtures:
February 7, 2026 – India vs USA, Mumbai
February 12 – India vs Namibia, New Delhi
February 15 – India vs Pakistan, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
February 18 – India vs Netherlands, Ahmedabad
Also read: BCCI names venues for 2026 T20 World Cup
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