The countdown is almost over! Starting February 7, 2026, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup returns to the subcontinent as India and Sri Lanka co-host the largest-ever edition of the tournament. With 20 teams battling across 55 matches, this isn’t just a tournament; it’s a month-long celebration of the sport.
Whether you’re planning a trip to the iconic Wankhede or looking for the best deals in Colombo, here is everything you need to know.
1. How to Buy Tickets (Step-by-Step)
The ICC has released over 2 million tickets, with King Exchange 9 Phase II sales currently live. To ensure fairness, a virtual queue system is in place for high-demand matches.
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Official Website: tickets.cricketworldcup.com
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Official Partner (India): Bookings for India-based matches are handled via BookMyShow.
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Official Partner (Sri Lanka): Matches in Sri Lanka can be booked through the official ICC portal.
Steps to Book:
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Register: Create an account on the ICC ticketing portal.
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Filter: Sort by “Team” to follow your country or “Venue” to see local games.
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Select & Queue: For marquee games, you will enter a virtual waiting room.
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Payment: Use international credit cards or local options like UPI (in India).
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Access: Digital M-tickets will be issued. For select high-security games, physical ticket collection at designated box offices may be mandatory.
2. Ticket Prices: Historic Lows
The ICC has significantly lowered entry barriers this year, making this the most accessible World Cup in history.
| Region | Entry-Level Price | Premium/Marquee Price |
| India | ₹100 ($1.11) | ₹2,500+ |
| Sri Lanka | LKR 1,000 ($3.26) | LKR 1,500+ |
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Budget Matches: Games in Ahmedabad and Kolkata (non-India fixtures) offer the most ₹100 tickets.
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India vs. Pakistan: Tickets for the epic Feb 15 clash in Colombo start at LKR 1,500 (approx. ₹430), making it surprisingly affordable compared to previous years.
3. Updated Teams & Groups
In a late-breaking update, Scotland replaced Bangladesh in Group C after Bangladesh withdrew from the tournament. Also, per a neutral-venue agreement, Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, including any potential knockouts.
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Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia
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Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman
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Group C: England, West Indies, Scotland, Nepal, Italy
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Group D: New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE
4. Key Fixtures & Venues
The tournament runs from Feb 7 to March 8.
The Big Games:
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Opening Day (Feb 7): India vs. USA (Mumbai) | Pakistan vs. Netherlands (Colombo)
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The Big One (Feb 15): India vs. Pakistan (R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)
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Semi-Final 1 (March 4): Kolkata (or Colombo if Pakistan qualifies)
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Semi-Final 2 (March 5): Mumbai
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The Final (March 8): Ahmedabad (or Colombo if Pakistan qualifies)
Stadiums:
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India: Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai.
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Sri Lanka: Colombo (R. Premadasa & SSC), Kandy (Pallekele).
Pro-Tips for Fans
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Visa Check: If you’re an Indian fan traveling to Sri Lanka for the Pakistan match, apply for your e-visa early—the system is expected to be busy!
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M-Tickets: Ensure your phone is charged and the BookMyShow app is updated. Screenshots of QR codes are often not accepted at the gates for security reasons.
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Secondary Market: Avoid third-party sellers. Stick to the official ICC portal to avoid counterfeit tickets.
