The T20 World Cup 2026 will be the 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. It brings together the world’s best teams along with emerging cricket nations that qualified through regional tournaments.
The match structure is designed to ensure competitiveness and excitement at every stage. Hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka, the competition will feature 20 international teams and more than 55 high-intensity games spread across iconic venues.
Spanning nearly 5 action-filled weeks, the event promises nonstop entertainment for fans across the world, with every match offering something special to look forward to.
This article gives a complete and easy-to-understand overview of the T20 World Cup 2026 matches, including the schedule, dates, venues, and timing.
T20 WC 2026 Format and Match Stages
The T20 World Cup 2026 will follow a three-stage format that balances fairness and entertainment.
Group Stage:
- 20 teams divided into 4 groups of 5
- Each team plays 4 Matches in the group stage
- Top 2 teams from each group advance
These early games are crucial, especially for associate nations, as one strong performance can change the entire group equation.
Super 8 Stage:
- 8 qualified teams split into 2 groups of 4
- Each team plays 3 Matches
- Top 2 teams from each group move to knockouts
This stage usually delivers the most intense rivalries and high-pressure encounters.
Knockout Stage:
- Semi-Final 1
- Semi-Final 2
- Final
At this point, there is no room for error. One bad day can end a team’s World Cup journey.
T20 WC 2026 Group-Wise Match Distribution
The matches of T20 World Cup 2026 are evenly distributed to ensure fair rest and travel schedules. Here’s how the games are spread across each stage of the tournament:
| Stage | Number of Games |
| Group Stage | 40 |
| Super 8 Stage | 12 |
| Knockout Stage | 3 |
| Total | 55 |
T20 World Cup 2026 Matches
From the opening group games to the intense Super 8 battles and the all-important knockout clashes, the tournament promises nonstop entertainment for fans around the world.
The format is simple yet competitive, the schedule is packed, and the stakes are sky-high. Below is the match list for the T20 World Cup 2026:
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
| Feb 7 | Pakistan vs Netherlands | Colombo | 11:00 AM |
| Feb 7 | West Indies vs Bangladesh | Kolkata | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 7 | India vs USA | Mumbai | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 8 | New Zealand vs Afghanistan | Chennai | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 8 | England vs Nepal | Mumbai | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 8 | Sri Lanka vs Ireland | Colombo | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 9 | Bangladesh vs Italy | Kolkata | 11:00 AM |
| Feb 9 | Zimbabwe vs Oman | Colombo | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 9 | South Africa vs Canada | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 10 | Netherlands vs Namibia | Ahmedabad | 11:00 AM |
| Feb 10 | New Zealand vs UAE | Chennai | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 10 | Pakistan vs UAE | Colombo | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 11 | South Africa vs Afghanistan | Ahmedabad | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 11 | Australia vs Ireland | Colombo | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 11 | England vs West Indies | Mumbai | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 12 | Sri Lanka vs Oman | Kandy | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 12 | Nepal vs Italy | Mumbai | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 12 | India vs Namibia | Delhi | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 13 | Australia vs Zimbabwe | Colombo | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 13 | Canada vs Namibia | Colombo | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 13 | USA vs Netherlands | Chennai | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 14 | Ireland vs Oman | Colombo | 11:00 AM |
| Feb 14 | England vs Bangladesh | Kolkata | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 14 | New Zealand vs South Africa | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 15 | West Indies vs Nepal | Mumbai | 11:00 AM |
| Feb 15 | USA vs Namibia | Chennai | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 15 | India vs Pakistan | Colombo | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 16 | Afghanistan vs UAE | Delhi | 11:00 AM |
| Feb 16 | England vs Italy | Kolkata | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 16 | Australia vs Sri Lanka | Kandy | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 17 | New Zealand vs Canada | Chennai | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 17 | Ireland vs Zimbabwe | Kandy | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 18 | Bangladesh vs Nepal | Mumbai | 11:00 AM |
| Feb 18 | South Africa vs UAE | Delhi | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 18 | Pakistan vs Namibia | Colombo | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 18 | India vs Netherlands | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 19 | Italy vs West Indies | Kolkata | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 19 | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | Colombo | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 20 | Afghanistan vs Canada | Chennai | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 20 | Australia vs Oman | Kandy | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 22 | TBD vs TBD | Kandy | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 23 | TBD vs TBD | Ahmedabad | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 24 | TBD vs TBD | Mumbai | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 25 | TBD vs TBD | Colombo | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 26 | TBD vs TBD | Ahmedabad | 3:00 PM |
| Feb 27 | TBD vs TBD | Chennai | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 28 | TBD vs TBD | Colombo | 3:00 PM |
| Mar 1 | TBD vs TBD | Kolkata | 7:00 PM |
Knockout Stage:
The most intense games of the tournament come during the knockout stage, where there is no second chance. Below is the time table for the knockout stage:
| Mar 4 | Semi Final 1 | Kolkata/Colombo | Time TBC |
| Mar 5 | Semi Final 2 | Mumbai | Time TBC |
| Mar 8 | Final | Ahmedabad/Colombo | Time TBC |
The T20 World Cup 2026 final match is expected to be played in front of a massive crowd, with Ahmedabad being the most likely venue if hosted in India.
T20 WC 2026 Match Timings
The games of T20 World Cup 2026 will be played in a mix of day and night slots to cater to global audiences. Afternoon games are mostly scheduled to start at 11:00 AM or 3:00 PM IST, while prime-time matches begin at 7:00 PM IST.
Day-night encounters are expected to attract maximum crowds, especially in major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad.
Where to Watch T20 World Cup 2026 Matches Live?
Fans can watch the whole tournament live on official ICC broadcast partners and authorized digital streaming platforms. Match highlights, scorecards, and live updates will also be available on leading cricket websites and mobile apps.
- In India: The matches will be broadcast on Star Sports and JioHotstar.
- In Sri Lanka: You can watch all the games on SLRC and Dialog ViU
You are advised to follow official channels to ensure high-quality and uninterrupted coverage.
Overall, the T20 World Cup 2026 promises non-stop cricket action with world-class teams, iconic venues, and unforgettable games. From group stage thrillers to pressure-packed knockouts, every game will be special. With more than 55 matches, different playing conditions, and passionate crowds, this edition will offer something for every cricket fan.
So, stay tuned, and follow every match closely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Where will the T20 World Cup 2026 be hosted?
A. The 10th edition of T20 WC 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with games played across multiple stadiums in both countries.
Q2. How many teams will participate in the T20 World Cup 2026?
A. A total of 20 international teams will compete in the tournament, including top-ranked nations and qualified teams through regional qualifiers.
