ICC T20 WC 2026

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Venues: Stadium Guide, Pitch Behaviour, and Match Impact

Jan. 6, 2026

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be played across venues that behave very differently once the game starts. Some stadiums favour chasing. Some slow the game down. Some reward power. Others punish it. Understanding ICC T20 World Cup venues, pitch behaviour, and scoring trends is critical for teams, fantasy platforms, media coverage, and data-driven cricket products. This guide breaks down each major venue with facts, pitch insights, and T20 stats.

ICC T20 WC Tournament Structure & Venues Overview

  • Duration: 7 February to 8 March 2026
  • Teams: 20 (Group stage → Super 8 → Knockouts)
  • Host nations: India and Sri Lanka
  • Total venues: 8
    • India: Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Eden Gardens (Kolkata)
    • Sri Lanka: R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club (Colombo), Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy)

Indian Venues: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

High Pressure & Tactical Variance India hosts 5 major venues, each demanding a unique tactical approach.

1. Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

367941.webp

Stadium Facts

Detail Information
Opened 1982
Capacity 132,000
Known As Motera Stadium, Sardar Patel Stadium
Ends Adani Pavilion End, GMDC End
Location Ahmedabad, India
Home Teams Gujarat, Gujarat Titans
Floodlights Yes

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Matches at Ahmedabad

  • South Africa vs Canada: Mon, Feb 9 (9th Match, Group D)
  • South Africa vs Afghanistan: Wed, Feb 11 (13th Match, Group D)
  • New Zealand vs South Africa: Sat, Feb 14 (24th Match, Group D)
  • India vs Netherlands: Wed, Feb 18 (36th Match, Group A)
  • TBC vs TBC: Sun, Feb 22 (43rd Match, Super 8 Group 1 - X1 vs X4)
  • TBC vs TBC: Thu, Feb 26 (47th Match, Super 8 Group 1 - X3 vs X4)

Pitch Behaviour: ICC T20 World Cup Context

  • Surface has slowed over time
  • Batting becomes harder as the ball gets older
  • Spinners and cutters are effective in middle overs
  • Big boundaries add pressure despite high totals

T20 Record at Narendra Modi Stadium

Metric Value
Matches Played 11
Avg 1st Innings Score 166
Avg 2nd Innings Score 143
Highest Total 234/4
Lowest Total 66 all out
Highest Chase 166/3
Lowest Defended 107/7
ICC T20 World Cup takeaway: Big atmosphere, no easy runs. Teams that control tempo usually win here. Note: Match listings and venue allocations are based on currently reported schedules from major cricket media outlets and are subject to official ICC confirmation.

2. Eden Gardens, Kolkata

367941.webp

Stadium Facts

Detail Information
Opened 1864
Capacity 63,000
Ends High Court End, Pavilion End
Location Kolkata, India
Home To Bengal, Kolkata Knight Riders
Floodlights Yes
Curator Probir Mukherjee

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Matches at Kolkata

  • West Indies vs Bangladesh: Sat, Feb 7 (2nd Match, Group C)
  • Bangladesh vs Italy: Mon, Feb 9 (7th Match, Group C)
  • England vs Bangladesh: Sat, Feb 14 (23rd Match, Group C)
  • England vs Italy: Mon, Feb 16 (29th Match, Group C)
  • West Indies vs Italy: Thu, Feb 19 (37th Match, Group C)
  • TBC vs TBC: Sun, Mar 1 (52nd Match, Super 8 Group 1 – X1 vs X3)

Pitch Behaviour: ICC T20 World Cup Context

  • Generally a good batting surface early on
  • Spinners come into play as the match progresses
  • Chasing sides have done better historically
  • Crowd intensity often shifts momentum quickly

T20 Record at Eden Gardens

Metric Value
Matches Played 13
Avg 1st Innings Score 153
Avg 2nd Innings Score 137
Highest Total 201/5
Lowest Total 70 all out
Highest Chase 162/4
Lowest Defended 145/8
ICC T20 World Cup takeaway: Eden Gardens rewards teams that manage tempo well. Start strong, read the surface early, and don’t underestimate the crowd’s influence.

3. Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi

367941.webp

Stadium Facts

Detail Information
Opened 1883
Capacity 48,000
Former Name Feroz Shah Kotla
Ends Stadium End, Pavilion End
Location Delhi, India
Floodlights Yes

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Matches at Delhi

  • Netherlands vs Namibia: Tue, Feb 10 (10th Match, Group A)
  • India vs Na mibia: Thu, Feb 12 (18th Match, Group A)
  • Canada vs United Arab Emirates: Fri, Feb 13 (20th Match, Group D)
  • Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates: Mon, Feb 16 (28th Match, Group D)
  • South Africa vs United Arab Emirates: Wed, Feb 18 (34th Match, Group D)
  • TBC vs TBC: Sun, Mar 1 (51st Match, Super 8 Group 1 – X2 vs X4)

Pitch Behaviour: ICC T20 World Cup Context

  • Generally batting-friendly
  • Short boundaries encourage aggressive play
  • Chasing sides have historically had the advantage
  • Occasional uneven bounce can disrupt innings

T20 Record at Arun Jaitley Stadium

Metric Value
Matches Played 14
Avg 1st Innings Score 145
Avg 2nd Innings Score 133
Highest Total 221/9
Highest Chase 212/3
Lowest Defended 96/7
ICC T20 World Cup takeaway: Totals don’t feel safe here. Bowlers are under pressure from ball one.

4. MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

367941.webp

Stadium Facts

Detail Information
Established 1916
Capacity 50,000
Also Known As Chepauk
Ends Anna Pavilion End, V Pattabhiraman Gate End
Location Chennai, India
Floodlights Yes

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Matches at Chennai

  • New Zealand vs Afghanistan: Sun, Feb 8 (4th Match, Group D)
  • New Zealand vs United Arab Emirates: Tue, Feb 10 (11th Match, Group D)
  • United States vs Netherlands: Fri, Feb 13 (21st Match, Group A)
  • United States vs Namibia: Sun, Feb 15 (26th Match, Group A)
  • New Zealand vs Canada: Tue, Feb 17 (31st Match, Group D)
  • Afghanistan vs Canada: Thu, Feb 19 (39th Match, Group D)
  • TBC vs TBC: Thu, Feb 26 (48th Match, Super 8 Group 1 - X1 vs X2)

Pitch Behaviour: ICC T20 World Cup Context

  • Spin-dominant surface
  • Pace-off bowling works better than raw speed
  • Batters must manage strike rate carefully
  • Middle overs often decide matches

T20 Record at MA Chidambaram Stadium

Metric Value
Matches Played 10
Avg 1st Innings Score 151
Avg 2nd Innings Score 127
Highest Total 189/4
Lowest Total 80 all out
Highest Chase 182/4
Lowest Defended 103/8
ICC T20 World Cup takeaway: This venue rewards patience and tactical discipline.

5. Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

367941.webp

Stadium Facts

Detail Information
Opened 1974
Capacity 33,000
Ends Garware Pavilion End, Tata End
Location Mumbai, India
Floodlights Yes

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Matches at Mumbai

  • India vs United States: Sat, Feb 7 (3rd Match, Group A)
  • England vs Nepal: Sun, Feb 8 (5th Match, Group C)
  • England vs West Indies: Wed, Feb 11 (15th Match, Group C)
  • Nepal vs Italy: Thu, Feb 12 (17th Match, Group C)
  • West Indies vs Nepal: Sun, Feb 15 (25th Match, Group C)
  • Bangladesh vs Nepal: Tue, Feb 17 (33rd Match, Group C)
  • TBC vs TBC: Mon, Feb 23 (44th Match, Super 8 Group 1 – X2 vs X3)
  • TBC vs TBC: Thu, Mar 5 (2nd Semi-Final)

Pitch Behaviour: ICC T20 World Cup Context

  • Early swing due to sea breeze
  • Becomes batting-friendly under lights
  • Fast outfield and short boundaries
  • High-scoring chases are common

T20 Record at Wankhede Stadium

Metric Value
Matches Played 13
Avg 1st Innings Score 178
Avg 2nd Innings Score 156
Highest Total 247/9
Highest Chase 230/8
Lowest Defended 143/6
ICC T20 World Cup takeaway: If bowlers miss their lengths here, matches slip away quickly. SOURCE

Sri Lanka Venues: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Compared to Indian stadiums, detailed venue-level data from Sri Lanka is more limited especially around pitch changes, recent renovations, and ball-by-ball behaviour trends. That said, based on historical T20 records and known scoring patterns, we still have a clear sense of how these grounds usually play and what teams should expect during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

6. Pallekele International Cricket Stadium : Kandy

367941.webp

Stadium Facts

Detail Information
Opened 27 November 2009
Capacity 35,000
Known As Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
Ends Hunnasgiriya End, Rikillagaskada End
Location Pallekele, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Floodlights Yes

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Matches at Pallekele

  • Sri Lanka vs Oman: Thu, Feb 12 (16th Match, Group B)
  • Australia vs Sri Lanka: Mon, Feb 16 (30th Match, Group B)
  • Ireland vs Zimbabwe: Tue, Feb 17 (32nd Match, Group B)
  • Australia vs Oman: Fri, Feb 20 (40th Match, Group B)
  • TBC vs TBC: Sun, Feb 22 (42nd Match, Super 8 Group 2)
  • TBC vs TBC: Tue, Feb 24 (45th Match, Super 8 Group 2)
  • TBC vs TBC: Sat, Feb 28 (50th Match, Super 8 Group 2)

Pitch Behaviour: ICC T20 World Cup Context

  • Conditions tend to be well balanced, with opportunities for both batters and bowlers.
  • Spinner and variation bowlers often come into play as the innings progresses, testing batter control. T20 World Cup Schedule 2026
  • The pitch character encourages competitive totals rather than extremely low or high scores.

T20 Record at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

Metric Value
Total Matches 27
Matches won batting first 14
Matches won bowling first 10
Average 1st Innings Score 167
Average 2nd Innings Score 147
Highest total recorded 263/3 (AUS vs SL)
Lowest total recorded 88/10 (NZ vs SL)
Highest score chased 178/2 (PAK vs BAN)
Lowest score defended 137/9 (IND vs SL)
ICC T20 World Cup takeaway: Pallekele offers a fair contest in T20 cricket, where spinners and tactical bowling can restrict scoring and disciplined batting often yields competitive totals.

7. R. Premadasa Stadium : Colombo

367941.webp

Stadium Facts

Detail Information
Opened 1986
Capacity 35,000
Known As Khettarama Stadium (former)
Ends Khettarama End, Scoreboard End
Location Colombo, Sri Lanka
Floodlights Yes

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Matches at R. Premadasa

  • Sri Lanka vs Ireland: Sun, Feb 8 (6th Match, Group B)
  • Australia vs Ireland: Wed, Feb 11 (14th Match, Group B)
  • Australia vs Zimbabwe: Fri, Feb 13 (19th Match, Group B)
  • India vs Pakistan: Sun, Feb 15 (27th Match, Group A)
  • Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe: Thu, Feb 19 (38th Match, Group B)
  • TBC vs TBC: Sat, Feb 21 (41st Match, Super 8 Group 2)
  • TBC vs TBC: Wed, Feb 25 (46th Match, Super 8 Group 2)
  • TBC vs TBC: Fri, Feb 27 (49th Match, Super 8 Group 2)

Pitch Behaviour: ICC T20 World Cup Context

  • Premadasa traditionally plays as a medium-scoring ground, balancing assist for both seamers and spinners.
  • Early conditions can favour pace and bounce, while spin and variation become more effective in middle overs.
  • Dew in evening matches may ease scoring in second innings.

T20 Record at R. Premadasa Stadium

Metric Value
Total Matches 59
Matches won batting first 23
Matches won bowling first 35
Average 1st Innings Score 142
Average 2nd Innings Score 128
Highest total recorded 215/5 (BAN vs SL)
Lowest total recorded 80/10 (AFG vs ENG)
Highest score chased 215/5 (BAN vs SL)
Lowest score defended 115/6 (RSA vs SL)
ICC T20 World Cup takeaway: R. Premadasa’s balanced pitch conditions offer batters and bowlers opportunities. Dew and spin influence middle phases, making tactical adaptability key for success here.

8. Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground: Colombo

367941.webp

Stadium Facts

Detail Information
Capacity ~10,000 (estimated seating)
Known As SSC Cricket Ground
Location Colombo, Sri Lanka
Floodlights Newly installed for T20 World Cup 2026

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Matches at SSC

  • Pakistan vs Netherlands: Sat, Feb 7 (1st Match, Group A)
  • Zimbabwe vs Oman: Mon, Feb 9 (8th Match, Group B)
  • Pakistan vs United States: Tue, Feb 10 (12th Match, Group A)
  • Ireland vs Oman: Sat, Feb 14 (22nd Match, Group B)
  • Pakistan vs Namibia: Wed, Feb 18 (35th Match, Group A)

Pitch Behaviour: ICC T20 World Cup Context

  • The SSC pitch generally produces lower scoring compared to other Sri Lankan venues, highlighting controlled run rates and disciplined bowling.
  • With the addition of new floodlights for this tournament, evening conditions may see strategic advantage swings due to dew and ball grip. ESPN Cricinfo

T20 Record at SSC Ground

Metric Value
Total Matches 9
Matches won batting first 3
Matches won bowling first 5
Average 1st Innings Score 118
Average 2nd Innings Score 106
Highest total recorded 176/3 (CAN vs IRE)
Lowest total recorded 100/10 (BANW vs SLW)
Highest score chased 146/4 (BANW vs SLW)
Lowest score defended 113/6 (PAKW vs SLW)
ICC T20 World Cup takeaway: SSC’s lower scoring environment rewards disciplined bowling and strategic shot selection. Matches here tend to be tighter with thinner margins for error. SOURCE

Disclosure

Match listings and venue allocations are based on currently reported schedules from major cricket media outlets and are subject to official ICC confirmation.

Why ICC T20 World Cup Venue Data Matters

Across ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 venues, clear patterns emerge:
  • Pitch behaviour varies sharply by city
  • Chasing advantage is venue-dependent
  • Middle-overs data is often more decisive than powerplay stats
  • One-size-fits-all strategies fail across venues
For fantasy platforms, media products, betting tools, and cricket data APIs, venue-level insight is not optional it’s essential.

Access ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Match Data

CricketAPI provides structured access to ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 data across all matches and venues including live scores, ball-by-ball, fantasy, stats, and visuals. View the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Package

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Have the venues for the 2026 T20 World Cup been officially announced? A: Yes. According to reports from Sports Today and the ICC, there are 8 total venues: 5 in India (Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai) and 3 in Sri Lanka (Colombo-Premadasa, Colombo-SSC, and Kandy). Q: Where will the Final be held? A: The Final is scheduled for the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 8, 2026. However, if Pakistan reaches the final, the match will move to Colombo, Sri Lanka, due to a special agreement. Q: Why is Pakistan playing all their matches in Sri Lanka? A: Based on a 2024 agreement between the BCCI and PCB, matches involving Pakistan in ICC events hosted by India must be played at a neutral venue. Therefore, Sri Lanka is acting as the host for all Pakistan fixtures. Q: When is the first match of the 2026 T20 World Cup? A: The tournament starts on February 7, 2026. The opening matches include India vs. USA in Mumbai and Pakistan vs. Netherlands in Colombo. Q: Where can I find the updated 2026 T20 WC schedule? A: The original schedule was released in November 2025, but a revised version is expected this week following the Bangladesh relocation request. You can stay updated with the Tournament Fixtures API.