The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that multi-platinum rapper Badshah, Bollywood actress Nora Fatehi, neo-classical music virtuoso Rishab Rikhiram Sharma and legendary percussionist Sivamani will headline the official opening ceremony of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, bringing high-octane performances to Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium on 7 February 2026.
Together, these four talented artists will set the stage for a multi-genre, world-class entertainment experience that fuses cultural flair with the global excitement of the T20 format, reinforcing the tournament’s status as a premier sporting and cultural spectacle where world-class cricket meets high-octane entertainment.
Following the entertainment extravaganza, co-host India will open their title defence with a marquee night fixture against the United States, marking the start of a thrilling opening day of cricket across the subcontinent.
The tenth edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, featuring 20 national teams competing in 55 high-octane matches across five Indian venues and three Sri Lankan venues over 31 days, promising fans a month-long festival of cricket, culture and entertainment.
“I’m incredibly excited to be part of this global celebration of sport, entertainment and culture. Music just like cricket brings people together and I can’t wait to bring my energy to this incredible stage.” – Badshah
Rishab Rikhiram Sharma states, “I’ve always believed the sitar belongs in bold, unexpected spaces. Places that don’t just change how people perceive it, but how they respect it. Opening for the ICC T20 World Cup wasn’t something I imagined, but it’s a powerful step in taking Indian music to a truly global stage. I’m thrilled to share my sound in this historic moment, and even more honoured to share the stage with maestro Sivamani alongside 60,000 fans in attendance!”
“Music and cricket both speak a universal language. Performing at the T20 opening in Mumbai is an honour for me. It’s a celebration of India’s energy and love for the game, and I’m excited to connect with the audience through rhythm before the match begins.”
– Sivamani
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 promises to deliver unmatched sporting drama alongside a world-class entertainment experience, making the event a truly unforgettable celebration of cricket and culture.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the tenth edition of cricket’s premier Twenty20 championship, will be held from 7 February to 8 March 2026, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The tournament brings together 20 elite national teams in a fast-paced, festival-like environment that combines high-level competition with a celebration of cricketing culture. The 2026 schedule positions defending champions India to open their title defence against the United States in a marquee night fixture at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on 7 February, kicking off what promises to be a month-long sporting and cultural extravaganza. The grand final is scheduled for 8 March 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, the largest cricket venue in the world, with Colombo designated as an alternate venue should specific qualification scenarios arise. Other iconic Indian venues confirmed for the tournament include Eden Gardens, Kolkata, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, and Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, while Sri Lankan matches will be played at R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club Ground (Colombo), and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy).
The tournament continues with the successful structure used in recent editions, featuring a group stage, Super Eights, and knockout rounds. The 20 teams are divided into four groups of five, each playing four matches in a round-robin format, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super Eights. In the Super Eights, eight qualifiers are split into two groups of four, competing in a round-robin series to determine the semi-finalists. The event culminates with two semi-finals and the final, all matches played in the Twenty20 International (T20I) format, consisting of 20 overs per side.
The tournament opens on 7 February 2026 with a slate of thrilling fixtures, including Pakistan vs Netherlands in Colombo, West Indies vs Bangladesh in Kolkata, and India vs USA at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The participating teams are divided as follows: Group A features India, United States, Namibia, Netherlands, and Pakistan; Group B comprises Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman; Group C includes England, West Indies, Italy, Nepal, and Bangladesh; and Group D consists of South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, and the UAE. Teams include hosts, top finishers and automatic qualifiers from the 2024 T20 World Cup, and sides that qualified through regional tournaments and ICC rankings, with each squad naming 15 players. Provisional squad submissions are finalized by early January 2026, with final updates allowed up to the end of January.
India enters the 2026 tournament as reigning T20 World Cup champions, having claimed the 2024 title with a dramatic victory over South Africa. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has evolved into one of cricket’s most prestigious global spectacles, combining elite competition, cultural celebration, and international fan engagement. Co-hosted by two of the sport’s most passionate cricketing nations, the 2026 edition is expected to set new benchmarks for attendance, broadcast reach, and competitive drama. Previous winners, including India, England, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia, have contributed to the tournament’s rich legacy, and the 2026 World Cup will continue to celebrate the fast-paced, globally popular T20 format while delivering a month-long festival of elite cricket and fan excitement.