T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour Kicks Off at Ram Setu — All Eyes on February 15!

The ICC officially announced the schedule for the T20 World Cup 2026 on November 25. The tournament will kick off on February 7 in Colombo with the opening match between the Netherlands and Pakistan. On the same evening at 7 PM, India will begin their campaign against the USA. India will then face Namibia on February 12, Pakistan on February 15, and the Netherlands on February 18.

Ahead of the tournament, the ICC launched the Trophy Tour in a spectacular and symbolic manner at Ram Setu (also known as Adam’s Bridge). The trophy was lifted into the air using a two-seater paramotor, making the launch both historic and memorable. Located between India and Sri Lanka, Ram Setu holds immense cultural and spiritual significance and perfectly represents the bond between the two host nations.

The T20 World Cup 2026 will feature 20 teams and will be played over 29 days across eight venues in India and Sri Lanka. According to the ICC, Ram Setu was chosen to highlight the theme of “connection,” symbolizing how cricket brings nations, cultures, and people together.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah stated that launching the Trophy Tour from such a historic location sends a powerful message ahead of a global tournament. He emphasized that the tour is not just about showcasing the trophy but about connecting cricket communities worldwide.

As part of the Trophy Tour, the silverware will travel across several Asian nations, including India, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Oman, Nepal, Bahrain, and Mongolia. Fan engagement events, college and campus visits, cricket carnivals, and open interactions will be organized to promote the sport, especially in emerging cricket nations.

In the group stage, each team will play four matches, with the top two teams advancing to the Super 8 round. In Super 8, teams will play three more matches, meaning finalists will play a total of eight matches each.

Matches in India will be hosted at Ahmedabad, Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, while Sri Lanka will host games in Colombo and Kandy.

Since its inception in 2007, the T20 World Cup has seen India, West Indies, and England win two titles each. India lifted the trophy in 2007 and again in 2024, while Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia have won the title once each.