The International Cricket Council (ICC) is lining up Ahmedabad and Kolkata as potential semifinal venues for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, a tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Eight venues are on the table — five in India and three in Sri Lanka — as the global body works with the BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to finalize logistics. The Indian shortlist features Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai, while Sri Lanka is expected to stage matches in Colombo (two venues) and Kandy.
Semifinal Scenarios on the Table
The ICC’s provisional plan gives flexibility depending on which teams reach the business end. If Sri Lanka or Pakistan qualify for the semifinals, one or both games could shift to Colombo. But if neither side makes the final four, both semifinals are slated for Indian soil.
The final venue remains undecided. Should Pakistan reach the championship match, Colombo would host; otherwise, India could take center stage. The ICC is expected to confirm these details in due course.
Format Mirrors 2024 Edition
Like the 2024 T20 World Cup held in the USA and West Indies, the 2026 tournament will feature 20 teams divided into four groups of five. After the group stage, the top two from each pool will progress to the Super Eights, forming two groups of four. The best two from each will advance to the knockout semifinals.
All 13 Test-playing nations have qualified, joined by Canada, Netherlands, UAE, Nepal, Oman, Namibia, and debutant Italy, marking a new chapter for European cricket.
India Aim to Defend Their Crown
India enter as defending champions, having edged South Africa in a thrilling final in June 2024. With matches spread across two cricket-mad nations, the ICC promises a month-long spectacle that blends subcontinental passion with global competition.
The 2026 edition isn’t just another tournament — it’s shaping up to be a showcase of how cricket’s shortest format continues to unite, surprise, and expand its reach across the world.
