Ahmedabad gets opener and final; Mumbai to host semi-final.

Cricket fans are already looking forward to the next major ICC event, as details for the 2026 T20 World Cup begin to emerge. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the tournament is expected to kick off on February 7, 2026, and conclude with the grand final on March 8.

According to recent reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shortlisted venues for the marquee clashes. Much like the 2023 ODI World Cup, Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium is set to host both the tournament opener and the final. Meanwhile, Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium has been earmarked to host one of the semi-finals.

Key Venues and Contingencies

The tournament will feature fewer host cities compared to the previous 50-over World Cup. In India, matches are likely to be held in Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad. The Indian team is expected to play league matches across these major metros.

However, there are significant conditions regarding Pakistan's participation due to ongoing diplomatic tensions. Reports suggest that if India and Pakistan are set to face each other in a semi-final, the match will be moved to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Furthermore, if Pakistan qualifies for the final, the summit clash might also be shifted from Ahmedabad to a neutral venue.

Sri Lankan Leg and Exclusions

Sri Lanka will host matches at three venues: R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Pallekele, and either Dambulla or Hambantota.

Domestically, venues that recently hosted the Women’s ODI World Cup—Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Indore, and Navi Mumbai—will not be considered for the men’s tournament. The status of Bengaluru remains uncertain due to pending safety clearances following recent incidents at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The final schedule is expected to be officially announced by the ICC in the coming days.