T20 World Cup 2026 Tickets Now Available: Complete Booking Guide for India & Sri Lanka

Cricket fever has officially hit new heights. The ICC just dropped Phase I ticket sales for the T20 World Cup 2026, and the pricing structure is breaking every barrier we’ve seen before. Starting at just ₹100 in India and LKR 1000 in Sri Lanka, this tournament is setting a new standard for accessibility in global cricket events.

Running from February 7 to March 8, 2026, the upcoming T20 cricket tournament brings together 20 nations across 55 explosive matches hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka. From the tournament opener featuring Pakistan versus Netherlands in Colombo to the blockbuster India versus USA clash in Mumbai, every match promises stadium-shaking action that fans won’t want to experience through screens alone.

Phase I Ticket Sales: Everything You Need to Know

ICC opened the floodgates on December 11, 2025, at 18:45 IST through their official portal. The timing wasn’t random—it gave working fans across both host nations the perfect window to log in and secure their spots without missing office hours.

ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta made the vision crystal clear: remove financial walls so every cricket lover, regardless of their wallet size, can witness world-class T20 action live instead of settling for television broadcasts.

Ticket Pricing That Changes the Game

These aren’t just numbers—they represent the most affordable World Cup ticketing structure in ICC history. Premium seats and hospitality packages will cost more, but the baseline accessibility opens doors for millions who’ve never attended international cricket before.

The ICC committed to releasing over 2 million tickets across multiple phases, deliberately designed to keep genuine fans ahead of scalpers and bulk buyers looking to flip tickets at inflated prices.

Stadiums Hosting the Championship

India’s Cricket Fortresses

• Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad (Final venue with 132,000 capacity)
• Eden Gardens, Kolkata (Semifinal venue)
• Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
• MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Sri Lanka’s Historic Grounds

• R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
• Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
• Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

Each venue underwent infrastructure upgrades specifically for this tournament. Enhanced fan zones, improved food courts, better parking facilities, and upgraded seating sections ensure comfort matches the cricket quality on display.

Step-by-Step Ticket Booking Process

Step 1: Access the Official Portal Navigate directly to tickets.cricketworldcup.com. Third-party sellers frequently list tickets they don’t actually possess yet, leading to last-minute cancellations that ruin your plans.

Step 2: Browse Available Matches The platform displays real-time seat availability organized by date, venue, or participating teams. Filter options help narrow down exactly what you’re hunting for.

Step 3: Select Your Seating Category Options range from budget-friendly general admission sections to premium hospitality boxes that include food service and exclusive lounges. Pick what fits your experience goals and budget.

Step 4: Choose Ticket Quantity Most venues cap purchases at 4-6 tickets per account to prevent resellers from hoarding inventory. This limit protects regular fans from getting priced out.

Step 5: Complete Secure Payment

• UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm)
• Credit/Debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, RuPay)
• Net banking
• International cards for overseas supporters

Step 6: Receive Digital Confirmation Your QR-coded e-ticket hits your email inbox within minutes. Save it on your smartphone or print a physical copy—stadium gates accept both formats equally.

Matches Available in Phase I

The biggest crowd-pullers—India versus Pakistan, both semifinals, and the championship final—drop in Phase II. ICC hasn’t announced Phase II dates yet, but demand patterns from Phase I will likely trigger that release within weeks.

Tournament Structure Breakdown

Twenty teams split into four groups of five nations each. Top two from every group advance to the Super Eight stage, where they face qualifiers from other groups.

Initial Group Distribution

• Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia
• Group B: Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman
• Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy
• Group D: New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE

After group stages conclude, eight qualifiers divide into two Super Eight groups. Teams play everyone in their Super Eight group once. Top two from each Super Eight group reach the semifinals.

Projected Super Eight Groups

• Super Eight Group 1: India, Australia, West Indies, South Africa
• Super Eight Group 2: England, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

Semifinals happen March 4 in Kolkata (or Colombo if Pakistan qualifies) and March 5 in Mumbai. The final takes place March 8 in Ahmedabad—unless Pakistan reaches it, triggering a venue shift to Colombo per pre-agreed hosting arrangements. Check the complete fixtures and timings for detailed planning.

Why This Pricing Strategy Matters

Traditional World Cup tickets often created financial barriers that excluded middle-class and lower-income supporters, turning stadiums into spaces for elite fans only. This ₹100 entry point flips that script entirely.

BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia emphasized creating match-day experiences that mirror India’s cricket passion through upgraded facilities, efficient logistics, and stadiums buzzing with authentic fan energy rather than corporate hospitality crowds.

Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva echoed this vision, promising venues alive with the electric atmosphere their grounds are famous for delivering during major tournaments.

This accessibility push aligns perfectly with cricket’s globalization efforts. With teams like Italy, Nepal, and USA competing, the ICC wants their supporters experiencing World Cup atmosphere firsthand instead of just consuming highlight reels on social media platforms.

Expert Booking Tips That Save Money and Stress

Set Alerts for Phase II Releases India versus Pakistan will vanish within minutes when Phase II opens. Configure notifications through the official portal so you’re ready the instant sales go live.

Skip Third-Party Resellers Completely Unauthorized sellers often list tickets before actually receiving them from the ICC, leading to devastating cancellations right before matches. Official channels only.

Consider Official Travel Packages For international fans, bundled packages that include tickets, hotel accommodation, and airport transfers often deliver better overall value than booking each component separately.

Check Alternative Venues If your first-choice stadium sells out, nearby venues might still have availability for the same teams playing on different dates within the group stage.

Bring Government-Issued Photo ID Stadium entry mandates matching the ticket holder’s official identification. Security teams make zero exceptions to this policy.

Post-Booking: What Happens Next

Payment confirmation triggers immediate delivery of:

• Booking confirmation email with unique reference number
• QR-coded e-ticket (typically arrives within 5 minutes)
• Venue-specific entry instructions
• Match-day guidelines covering prohibited items and security protocols

Stadium gates typically open 2 hours before first ball. Security screening processes take time, especially for high-profile matches. Arriving early prevents last-minute panic and lets you soak in pre-match atmosphere.

Critical Tournament Dates

Match timings follow three standard slots: 11:00 AM IST (05:30 GMT), 3:00 PM IST (09:30 GMT), and 7:00 PM IST (13:30 GMT). Evening fixtures consistently pull bigger crowds because fans can attend after work hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Phase II ticket sales begin? ICC hasn’t confirmed Phase II dates yet. Subscribe to official notifications at tickets.cricketworldcup.com for instant alerts when high-demand matches like India versus Pakistan become available.

Can tickets be transferred to another person? Tickets are generally non-transferable to prevent scalping. However, ICC may allow name changes for legitimate reasons with proper documentation submission.

What happens if weather cancels my match? In case of official cancellations, ICC provides full refunds within 14 working days to your original payment method. No partial refunds for shortened matches that produce results.

Are student or senior citizen discounts available? Currently, the ₹100 starting price applies universally to all buyers. No additional category-based discounts have been announced for students, seniors, or military personnel.

Can I book tickets for multiple matches in one transaction? Yes, the portal supports multi-match bookings. Add different fixtures to your cart before proceeding to payment, which simplifies the process if you’re planning to attend multiple games.

What items are prohibited inside stadiums? Standard restrictions apply: no large bags, outside food and drinks, professional cameras with detachable lenses, or weapons of any kind. Check venue-specific guidelines printed on your e-ticket for complete lists.

Final Word on Securing Your Tickets

The T20 World Cup 2026 represents more than cricket matches—it’s about democratizing access to the sport’s biggest carnival. With tickets starting at ₹100, the ICC removed the primary obstacle between passionate fans and their cricketing heroes.

Whether you’re planning to follow India’s entire campaign across multiple cities, experience Sri Lanka’s legendary crowd energy, or witness history as associate nations compete on cricket’s grandest stage, now’s your moment to secure seats. Over 2 million tickets means genuine opportunities exist, but high-profile matches won’t last long once Phase II drops.

Visit the official portal today, lock in your tickets, and prepare for a month of T20 brilliance that creates memories lasting far beyond the final ball.