T20 World Cup 2026 Media Coverage Guide: Saturday’s Press Conferences & Team Interactions
The action is heating up fast! As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 enters its opening phase, Saturday brings three crucial group stage encounters across three iconic venues. Here’s everything media professionals and cricket fans need to know about press conferences, team interactions, and coverage opportunities.
This comprehensive media advisory covers matches in Colombo, Kolkata, and Mumbai, along with pre-match day preparations in Chennai for Sunday’s fixtures. Whether you’re covering the tournament or just want insider access to team news, this is your complete guide.

Saturday’s Match Schedule & Media Opportunities
Match 1: Pakistan vs Netherlands (Colombo)
Game Details:
| Match Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams | Pakistan vs Netherlands |
| Group | Group A |
| Venue | Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) |
| Start Time | 11:00 AM local time |
| Post-Match Media | 15 minutes after match ends |
This Group A clash could be decisive for both teams’ tournament hopes. Pakistan enters as favorites, but Netherlands has proven they can upset bigger teams in major tournaments.
Media Interaction Protocol:
- Losing team speaks first (approximately 15 minutes post-match)
- Winning team follows immediately after
- Location: Press Conference Room at SSC
The group stage standings will shift significantly based on this result, making the post-match pressers crucial for understanding team strategies moving forward.
Match 2: West Indies vs Scotland (Kolkata)
Game Details:
| Match Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams | West Indies vs Scotland |
| Group | Group C |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Start Time | 3:00 PM local time |
| Post-Match Media | 15 minutes after match ends |
Eden Gardens provides the perfect backdrop for this Group C encounter. West Indies brings their explosive T20 pedigree, while Scotland looks to cause another upset in World Cup competition.
Coverage Access:
- Both teams available post-match
- Standard 15-minute buffer after final ball
- Venue: Press Conference Room, Eden Gardens
Media contacts for Kolkata coverage:
- Ashish Kumar Sahoo: [email protected] | +91 76060 00958
- Aritra Chowdhury: +91 74393 49575
Match 3: India vs USA (Mumbai)
Game Details:
| Match Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams | India vs USA (Tournament Opener) |
| Group | Group A |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Start Time | 7:00 PM local time |
| Post-Match Media | 15 minutes after match ends |
The big one! India’s opening match against USA at the iconic Wankhede promises to be a blockbuster. Following the star-studded opening ceremony, this match launches the tournament in spectacular fashion.
Media Coverage Highlights:
- Massive media turnout expected
- High-profile player interactions
- Post-match insights from both camps
Check the complete tournament schedule to plan your coverage for upcoming matches beyond Saturday’s fixtures.
Mumbai Media Contacts:
- Moulin Parikh: [email protected] | +91 98202 53149
- Noel D’Souza: [email protected] | +91 75060 54306
Pre-Match Day Activities (Sunday’s Matches)
Chennai: New Zealand vs Afghanistan
Match Schedule:
- Date: Sunday, February 8
- Time: 11:00 AM local time
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium
- Group: Group D
Saturday Training & Media Sessions:
| Team | Training Time | Media Interaction |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Starts around 1:00 PM |
| New Zealand | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Starts around 1:30 PM |
Both teams will be available for media interactions at the Press Conference Room following their training sessions. This gives journalists crucial access to team strategies and player form assessments.
Chennai Media Contact:
- Anant Kaur: [email protected] | +91 96508 69640
- M Harihara Subramanian: +91 94431 36724
Mumbai: England vs Nepal
Match Schedule:
- Date: Sunday, February 8
- Time: 3:00 PM local time
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium
- Group: Group C
Important Note: Neither team is training on Saturday. England has already completed their pre-match media interaction, with video and transcript available in the ICC Online Media Zone. Nepal has no scheduled media interaction.
Colombo: Sri Lanka vs Ireland
Match Schedule:
- Date: Sunday, February 8
- Time: 7:00 PM local time
- Venue: R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS)
- Group: Group B
Saturday Training & Media Sessions:
| Team | Training Time | Media Interaction |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Starts around 1:45 PM |
| Ireland | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Starts around 5:30 PM |
Venue: Media Conference Room (Third Floor) at the Media Centre (enter via Main Gate of RPICS, Colombo)
Colombo Media Contact:
- Prasanna Rodrigo: [email protected] | +94 773540102
For the latest squad updates and team news, visit the official teams page regularly.
Critical Guidelines for Media Personnel
Non-Rights Holders (NRH) Filming Rules
What’s Allowed: ✓ Filming pre-match day press conferences ✓ Designated safe filming zones at venues ✓ Phone or camera use in back rows during pressers
What’s NOT Allowed: ✗ Filming inside venues on match days (except safe zones) ✗ Native posting on social media channels (including YouTube) ✗ Match day accreditation for NRH camerapersons
Usage Rights:
- Videos shot at venues (pre-match days only) may be used on news channels and websites for editorial purposes
- ICC uploads unedited media conference clips to Online Media Zone
- Footage must be used editorially, not for social media distribution
Photographer Guidelines
Essential Rules:
- Always wear official bibs
- Only shoot from designated areas
- Arrive one hour before toss on match days for position assignments
- Pre-match meeting mandatory for photo position allocation
Pre-Match Days:
- Shoot from areas identified by Venue Media Operations Manager
- NRH photographers not allowed at press conferences
Match Days:
- Arrive early for pre-match briefing
- Assigned positions provided at briefing
- Respect designated zones only
Stay updated with breaking news through the latest cricket updates section for real-time developments.
FAQs About T20 World Cup 2026 Media Coverage
Q1: When do post-match press conferences start?
Post-match media interactions begin approximately 15 minutes after the match concludes, with the losing team typically speaking first.
Q2: Can non-rights holders film match day press conferences?
No, NRH media can only film pre-match day press conferences, not match day events except in designated safe zones.
Q3: Where can I find England’s pre-match media interaction?
England’s pre-match video and transcript are available in the ICC Online Media Zone as they won’t hold another session on Saturday.
Q4: Are photographers allowed at press conferences?
NRH photographers are not permitted at press conferences during the tournament.
Q5: Can I post press conference videos on YouTube?
No, footage may only be used on news channels and websites for editorial purposes, not natively posted on social media platforms.
Q6: How do I contact venue-specific media coordinators?
Contact details for each venue are provided in this advisory, including names, emails, and phone numbers for immediate assistance.
Final Thoughts
Saturday’s triple-header kicks the tournament into high gear with quality matches across three fantastic venues. For media professionals, proper planning using these schedules ensures comprehensive coverage without missing crucial press interactions.
The tournament structure guarantees action-packed days ahead, with teams fighting for every point in the group stages. Follow official channels and maintain contact with venue coordinators for last-minute changes or updates.



