Sri Lanka is set to co-host the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup alongside India, marking the island’s largest international cricket event in more than a decade.
The tournament will run from 7 February to 8 March 2026, featuring 20 teams, the biggest lineup in the history of the competition. Matches will take place across three venues in Sri Lanka and five venues in India.
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), both host nations have automatically qualified, while the remaining teams earned their places through regional qualifying events.
The expanded format includes four groups of five teams, followed by a Super Eights stage, the semi-finals, and a grand final.
In Sri Lanka, matches are expected to be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, and the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground. India will host fixtures in major cricketing hubs including Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Kolkata.
This will be Sri Lanka’s first ICC men’s event since 2012, and the co-hosting arrangement is seen as an opportunity to enhance regional cooperation while revitalizing the country’s cricket infrastructure.
Tourism authorities anticipate a significant boost in arrivals, with fan zones, hospitality programs, and cultural events expected across all host cities.
Officials also confirmed that all of Pakistan’s matches will be played in Sri Lanka due to bilateral travel restrictions, making the island a key neutral venue during the tournament.
The ICC is expected to release the final match schedule later this month.
