Narendra Modi Stadium Likely To Host T20 World Cup 2026 Final, Mumbai, Delhi Among Venues Shortlisted For Matches: Report

T20 World Cup 2026 Venues: The gigantic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is expected to be the frontrunner to host the final of the T20 World Cup that takes place in India and Sri Lanka early next year. The schedule of the tournament is expected to come out soon.

India are the defending T20 World Cup champions, having lifted the title with a famous victory over South Africa in the final in Barbados in 2024. As per a report in the Indian Express, Ahmedabad has been shortlisted to host the final, with the tournament likely to be held in fewer cities compared to the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

Five venues across India and three in Sri Lanka will host the entire tournament. The matches of the Pakistan men’s cricket team are likely to take place in Colombo.

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In 2023, when India hosted the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, the matches were played in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Dharamsala, Lucknow and Bengaluru. The first match of the tournament and final were staged at Narendra Modi Stadium, and Mumbai and Kolkata hosted the first and second semifinal matches, respectively.

In 2016, when India hosted the T20 World Cup, the final was played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and Delhi and Mumbai hosted the two semifinal matches. In that edition, the matches were also played in Nagpur, Mohali, Dharamsala and Bengaluru.

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A total of 20 teams will feature in the 2026 edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Like the 2024 edition, teams will be divided into four groups of five each, and the top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 8s. In Super 8s, teams will be divided into two groups of four each, and the top two teams from each group will make it to the semifinals.

The 10th edition of the T20 WC will see the participation of 20 teams, which will be divided into four groups of five each. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 8s. In Super 8s, teams will be divided into two groups of four each, and the top two teams from each group will make it to the semifinals.

India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the United States of America, the West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman and the United Arab Emirates are the 20 teams that have qualified for the T20 World Cup 2026.

Of those 20 teams, 17 featured in the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup as well. Papua New Guinea, Uganda and Scotland will be replaced by Zimbabwe, Italy and the UAE for the 2026 edition.