Cricket’s shortest international format will take center stage next month as the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 begins on February 7.
Matches will be held at five stadiums across India and three in Sri Lanka, with 20 teams battling it out for the world title.
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Here’s what you need to know about the venue.
narendra modi stadium
Location: Ahmedabad, India
Capacity: 132,000
Inauguration: 1983
Match dates: South Africa vs. Canada (February 9), South Africa vs. Afghanistan (February 11), New Zealand vs. South Africa (February 14), India vs. Netherlands (February 18), Super 8 Match 3 (February 22), Super 8 Match 7 (February 26), Final (March 8)
The world’s largest cricket stadium is scheduled to host seven matches, including the final and two Super 8 matches.
Before being renamed after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the venue was known as Motera Stadium or Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium, after one of India’s most famous independence leaders.
The 2023 ODI World Cup final, which India lost to Australia, was the biggest international match to be held at this venue.
The stadium has also hosted several political events and rallies, including the 2020 “Namaste Trump” event honoring U.S. President Donald Trump.
Wankhede Stadium
Location: Mumbai, India
Capacity: 33,100
Inauguration: 1974
Match dates: India vs. USA (February 7), England vs. Nepal (February 8), England vs. West Indies (February 11), Nepal vs. Italy (February 12), West Indies vs. Nepal (February 15), Scotland vs. Nepal (February 17), Super 8 Match 4 (February 23), Semi-final 2 (March 5)
The Wankhede Stadium in the coastal city of Mumbai is no stranger to hosting high-stakes matches. The 2011 ODI World Cup final was held where India defeated Sri Lanka to win their second world title.
The venue, which is also the home of IPL franchise Mumbai Indians, will host the most matches in India (eight) during the tournament, including the semi-finals.
Although smaller than most of India’s popular stadiums, Wankhede’s enthusiastic crowd always creates a great atmosphere.
Eden Gardens
Location: Kolkata, India
Capacity: 68,000
Inauguration: 1864
Dates: West Indies vs. Scotland (February 7), Scotland vs. Italy (February 9), England vs. Scotland (February 14), England vs. Italy (February 16), West Indies vs. Italy (February 19), Super 8 Match 12 (March 1), Semi-final 1 (tentative, March 4)
Known as the ‘Home of Cricket in India’, Eden Gardens is India’s oldest cricket stadium. The venue will host seven matches in the tournament, including possibly the first semi-final.
India’s first dedicated sports ground, Eden Gardens hosted matches in five ICC World Cups, including the 1987 ODI World Cup and 2016 T20 World Cup finals.
Since 2008, it has also been the home of IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders.
Arun Jaitley Stadium
Location: New Delhi, India
Capacity: 55,000
Inauguration: 1883
Match card: Netherlands vs. Namibia (February 10), India vs. Namibia (February 12), Canada vs. UAE (February 13), Afghanistan vs. UAE (February 16), South Africa vs. UAE (February 18), Super 8 Match 11 (March 1)
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in India’s capital New Delhi has hosted matches in five World Cups. This tournament will feature 6 matches including the Super 8 matches.
The venue, formerly known as Feroze Shah Kotla Stadium, was renamed in 2019 after the former finance minister and MP from Prime Minister Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
It is the home base of IPL team Delhi Capitals.
Chidambaram Stadium, Massachusetts
Location: Chennai, India
Capacity: 38,200
Inauguration: 1916
Match card: New Zealand vs. Afghanistan (February 8), New Zealand vs. UAE (February 10), USA vs. Netherlands (February 13), USA vs. Namibia (February 15), New Zealand vs. Canada (February 17), Afghanistan vs. Canada (February 19), Super 8 Match 8 (February 26)
Located near Chennai’s Marina Beach on the Bay of Bengal, one of the world’s longest urban beaches, the MA Chidambaram Stadium is known for its sporting and knowledgeable cricket crowd.
Named after former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president MA Chidambaram, the venue is popularly known as Chepauk Stadium. Home to the Chennai Super Kings IPL franchise, the stadium has hosted matches in four ODI World Cups.
This tournament will feature 7 matches including 8 Super matches.
R Premadasa Stadium
Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Capacity: 35,000
Inauguration: 1986
Match dates: Sri Lanka vs Ireland (February 8), Australia vs Ireland (February 11), Australia vs Zimbabwe (February 13), India vs Pakistan (February 15), Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe (February 19), Super 8 Match 1 (February 21), Super 8 Match 6 (February 25), Super 8 Match 9 (February 27)
R Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka’s largest stadium, will host most of the heavyweight matches of the tournament, including India vs Pakistan, the most anticipated match-up of the ICC event.
The venue is scheduled to host eight games, including three Super 8 games, with two more likely to be added to the list.
If Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, R Premadasa Stadium, which is considered a neutral venue, will replace Kolkata as the venue for the first semi-final. If Pakistan advances to the final, the venue will also be moved from Ahmedabad to Colombo.
As per the agreement between India and Pakistan brokered by the ICC, both countries have the option to play matches at neutral venues in tournaments hosted by either South Asian country.
sinhala sports club
Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Capacity: 10,000
Inauguration: 1952
Matchups: Pakistan vs. Netherlands (February 7th), Zimbabwe vs. Oman (February 9th), Pakistan vs. USA (February 10th), Ireland vs. Oman (February 14th), Pakistan vs. Namibia (February 18th)
The smallest venue of the tournament, the Sinhala Sports Club, will host the least matches at five, but will host the all-important opening match between former champions Pakistan and West Indies.
Located just 5 km (3.1 miles) from Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, this is the second time the World Cup has been hosted at this venue, the first being the ODI World Cup in 1996.
Palekele International Cricket Stadium
Location: Kandy, Sri Lanka
Capacity: 35,000
Launched: 2009
Match dates: Sri Lanka vs. Oman (February 12), Australia vs. Sri Lanka (February 16), Ireland vs. Zimbabwe (February 17), Australia vs. Oman (February 20), Super 8 Match 2 (February 22), Super 8 Match 5 (February 24), Super 8 Match 10 (February 28)
Palekele International Cricket Stadium rounds out the full list of venues for the 2026 T20 World Cup. There will be seven games, including three Super 8 games.
Opened 17 years ago, it is the newest of all venues for this year’s convention. Located in central Sri Lanka, this stadium was built for the 2011 ODI World Cup and was also used for the 2012 T20 World Cup.
