Where is the 2026 Cricket World Cup taking place?
There is an electric atmosphere building up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. This isn't just another tournament; it's a global sporting event of massive proportions, now featuring an expanded roster of 20 teams. In a bold move to grow the game, the ICC has appointed the sun-drenched West Indies and the rapidly growing US cricket scene as co-hosts. From June 1 to June 29, the action will unfold across nine stunning venues, culminating in a high-stakes final in Barbados. While the entire schedule is packed, all eyes are on June 9th, when the legendary rivalry between India and Pakistan moves to the heart of New York City.T20. This tournament is set to deliver intense matches and a global sports spectacle. What makes this year’s event special is not just the expanded format with 20 teams. In addition, the bold decision to have co-hosts – the sunny West Indies islands and the rising cricket powerhouse, the United States. From June 1st to 29th, cricket will be the main attraction at nine impressive venues, ending with a thrilling final in Barbados. Among the many exciting matches, one particular date stands out: June 9th, when arch-rivals India and Pakistan face off in the heart of New York City.
2026 World Cup Cricket: Spanning Two Worlds
By splitting the event between the US and the Caribbean, the ICC is clearly pushing to make cricket a truly global sport. In the West Indies, six historic grounds have been selected:
- Kensington Oval (Barbados): The tournament's most prestigious site, where the championship will be decided on June 29th.
- Queen’s Park Oval (Trinidad and Tobago): A venue famous for its electric energy, set to host a semi-final on June 26th.
- Providence Stadium (Guyana): The home of some of the most passionate fans in the region, hosting a semi-final on June 27th.
- Beausejour Stadium (St. Lucia): A visually stunning location that will serve as the backdrop for several group stage matches.
- Warner Park Stadium (St. Kitts and Nevis): Where the heat of the Caribbean sun will match the intensity of the games.
Grenada National Stadium (Grenada): Providing a stage for exciting clashes amongst emerging teams.
Grenada National Stadium (Grenada): A key venue providing an opportunity for rising nations to prove themselves.
- Across the ocean, the United States is making history by hosting World Cup matches for the very first time at three specific locations:
- Nassau County International Cricket Stadium (New York):
- Constructed specifically for this event, this New York landmark will be the epicenter of the tournament's US leg and the site of the massive India-Pakistan showdown on June 9th.
- Florida's Central Broward Stadium in Lauderhill will host various group stage fixtures under the bright Florida sun.
In Texas, the Prairie View A&M University Cricket Ground will showcase the sport's growing footprint in the American South during the group phase.
This combination of traditional Caribbean strongholds and fresh American venues offers a unique dynamic. While the West Indies provide the deep-rooted passion and familiar pitches that players love, the US venues represent a new frontier, allowing the sport to reach an entirely new audience in North America.
| Date | Time* | Venue | Match | Stage | Teams Playing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | |||||
| June 1 | 7:30 PM BST | Kensington Oval (Barbados) | Group A match 1 | Group A | To be determined |
| June 1 | 7:30 PM BST | Queen’s Park Oval (Trinidad & Tobago) | Group B match 1 | Group B | To be determined |
| June 2 | 7:30 PM BST | Providence Stadium (Guyana) | Group C match 1 | Group C | To be determined |
| June 2 | 7:30 PM BST | Beausejour Stadium (St. Lucia) | Group D match 1 | Group D | To be determined |
| June 3 | 7:30 PM BST | Warner Park Stadium (St. Kitts & Nevis) | Group E match 1 | Group E | To be determined |
| June 3 | 7:30 PM BST | Grenada National Stadium (Grenada) | Group F match 1 | Group F | To be determined |
| June 4 | 1:00 PM EDT | 2024 Cricket World Cup: Schedule of Matches and Host Venues | Group E match 2 | Group E | To be determined |
| June 4 | 7:00 PM CST | Central Broward Stadium (Lauderhill, Florida) | Group F match 2 | Group F | To be determined |
| June 5 | 1:00 PM EDT | Prairie View A&M University Cricket Ground (Dallas, Texas) | Group A match 2 | Group A | To be determined |
| June 5 | 7:30 PM BST | Kensington Oval (Barbados) | Group B match 2 | Group B | To be determined |
| June 6 | 7:30 PM BST | Queen’s Park Oval (Trinidad & Tobago) | Group C match 2 | Group C | To be determined |
| June 6 | 7:30 PM BST | Providence Stadium (Guyana) | Group D match 2 | Group D | To be determined |
| June 7 | 1:00 PM BST | Warner Park Stadium (St. Kitts & Nevis) | Group E match 3 | Group E | To be determined |
| June 7 | 7:30 PM BST | Grenada National Stadium (Grenada) | Group F match 3 | Group F | To be determined |
| June 8 | 1:00 PM EDT | 2024 Cricket World Cup: Schedule of Matches and Host Venues | Group A match 3 | Group A | To be determined |
| June 8 | 7:00 PM CST | Central Broward Stadium (Lauderhill, Florida) | Group B match 3 | Group B | To be determined |
| June 9 | 1:00 PM EDT | Prairie View A&M University Cricket Ground (Dallas, Texas)Nassau County International Cricket Stadium (New York) | India vs. Pakistan | Group C | India vs. Pakistan |
| June 9 | 7:30 PM BST | Kensington Oval (Barbados) | Group D match 3 | Group D | To be determined |
| June 10 | 7:30 PM BST | Queen’s Park Oval (Trinidad & Tobago) | Group E match 4 | Group E | To be determined |
| June 10 | 7:30 PM BST | Providence Stadium (Guyana) | Group F match 4 | Group F | To be determined |
| June 11 | 1:00 PM BST | Warner Park Stadium (St. Kitts & Nevis) | Group C match 4 | Group C | To be determined |
| June 11 | 7:30 PM BST | Grenada National Stadium (Grenada) | Group D match 4 | Group D | To be determined |
| June 12 | 1:00 PM EDT | 2024 Cricket World Cup: Schedule of Matches and Host Venues | Group A match 5 | Group A | To be determined |
| June 12 | 7:00 PM CST | Central Broward Stadium (Lauderhill, Florida) | Group B match 5 | Group B | To be determined |
| June 13 | 1:00 PM EDT | Prairie View A&M University Cricket Ground (Dallas, Texas) | Group E match 5 | Group E | To be determined |
| June 13 | 7:30 PM BST | Kensington Oval (Barbados) | |||
Super 8 Stage
| Date | Time* | Venue | Match | Stage | Teams Playing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 19 | 7:30 PM BST | Queen’s Park Oval (Trinidad & Tobago) | Super 8 match 1 | Super 8s | To be determined |
| June 19 | 7:30 PM BST | Providence Stadium (Guyana) | Super 8 match 2 | Super 8s | To be determined |
| June 20 | 1:00 PM EDT | Beausejour Stadium (St. Lucia) | Super 8 match 3 | Super 8s | To be determined |
| June 20 | 7:00 PM CST | Warner Park Stadium (St. Kitts & Nevis) | Super 8 match 4 | Super 8s | To be determined |
| June 21 | 1:00 PM EDT | 2024 Cricket World Cup: Schedule of Matches and Host Venues | Super 8 match 5 | Super 8s | To be determined |
| June 21 | 7:00 PM CST | Central Broward Stadium (Lauderhill, Florida) | Super 8 match 6 | Super 8s | To be determined |
| June 22 | 7:30 PM BST | Queen’s Park Oval (Trinidad & Tobago) | Super 8 match 7 | Super 8s | To be determined |
| June 22 | 7:30 PM BST | Providence Stadium (Guyana) | Super 8 match 8 | Super 8s | To be determined |
Knockout Stage
| Date | Time* | Venue | Match | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 26 | 7:30 PM BST | Queen’s Park Oval (Trinidad & Tobago) | Semi-final 1 | Playoffs |
| June 27 | 7:30 PM BST | Providence Stadium (Guyana) | Semi-final 2 | Playoffs |
| June 29 | 7:30 PM BST | Kensington Oval (Barbados) | Final | Finals |
Nassau County International Cricket Stadium (New York)Please note: This is a preliminary schedule and matches may be subject to change based on the final group standings. The top four teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 Stage, followed by the knockout rounds. The specific teams playing in each match will be determined by the outcome of the group stage matches.
Additional Information:
- Please keep in mind that this schedule is provisional. Matchups may shift depending on how teams perform in their groups. The top four teams from each group will move on to the Super 8s, which then lead into the knockout phase. The final brackets will be decided by group stage results.
- The opening stage features 24 teams split into six groups (A through F), with four teams per group.
- The two highest-ranking teams from each group will secure a spot in the Super 8 Stage.
- In the Super 8s, a round-robin format is used where the top four teams from the previous groups face each other once.
- Finally, the four best-performing teams from the Super 8s will enter the knockout rounds, consisting of the semi-finals and the grand final.
2026 World Cup Cricket Venue Information
| Venue | Location | Capacity | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington Oval | Bridgetown, Barbados | 30,000 | Every match in the tournament will follow the T20 (20-over) format. |
| Queen’s Park Oval | Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago | 27,000 | A cornerstone of West Indian cricket with a legacy stretching back to 1884. |
| Providence Stadium | Providence, Guyana | 20,000 | Another historic Caribbean landmark that has seen world-class cricket since 1886. |
| Beausejour Stadium | Castries, St. Lucia | 15,000 | The Caribbean's premier stadium, blending massive capacity with cutting-edge modern facilities. |
| Warner Park Stadium | Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis | 10,000 | A stunningly beautiful venue situated right on the Caribbean coastline. |
| Grenada National Stadium | St. George’s, Grenada | 15,000 | A cozy, smaller ground known for its incredibly dedicated local supporters. |
| Central Broward Stadium | Lauderhill, Florida | 20,000 | A recently updated venue that brings a high-energy vibe to every match. |
| The biggest cricket facility in the US, drawing a diverse, international crowd. | Prairie View, Texas | 10,000 | Prairie View A&M University Cricket Ground |
A modern, high-spec facility integrated into the Prairie View A&M University campus.
The Epic Clash: India vs. Pakistan in NYC
While there are many great venues, one date is circled on every fan's calendar: June 9th. That is when India and Pakistan meet at New York's new Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. This is far more than just a game; it is a clash of titans fueled by a complex political and sporting history. India enters as the champion, boasting a powerhouse batting order with the legendary Virat Kohli and the consistent Rohit Sharma, backed by a lethal bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah and the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Pakistan, under the leadership of the stylish Babar Azam, is a formidable opponent. Their batting is a mix of Babar's grace and Fakhar Zaman's raw power, while their bowling—anchored by the pace of Shaheen Shah Afridi and the wisdom of Mohammad Hafeez—can dismantle any lineup. History adds to the tension: out of 25 World Cup encounters, India holds a 12-8 lead.
The last time they met in a World Cup (Dubai, 2021), Pakistan secured a shocking victory that sent ripples through the sport. Now, playing on American soil, both sides are desperate to claim dominance. With a massive New York crowd expected, the atmosphere will be electric.
More Than Just One Rivalry: A Historic Tournament
The India-Pakistan game is the headline, but the 2026 World Cup is a feast for any cricket lover. Twenty other nations are fighting for the trophy, each bringing their own flavor to the game. From the aggressive Australian style led by Glenn Maxwell to the evolving strategy of Sri Lanka under Wanindu Hasaranga, the variety is immense. We'll see the brilliance of Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) and the rise of Aasif Sheikh (Nepal), alongside established icons like England's Jos Buttler and New Zealand's Kane Williamson.
A Fusion of Sport and Culture
A Legacy in the Making
This tournament is as much about culture as it is about cricket. The West Indies offer a sensory explosion of calypso music, breathtaking beaches, and rich local cuisine. Meanwhile, New York City—the world's great melting pot—will bring its own energy, from Bollywood-themed celebrations to rooftop screenings, making the city pulse with the excitement of the game.West Indies and the USA marks a crucial moment in cricket’s global journey. For the Caribbean islands, the joint hosting of the 2024 World Cup Cricket reaffirms their cricketing excellence. It also highlights their lively culture on the world stage. Meanwhile, for the USA, it signifies a significant step forward in the sport’s development. It opens doors for American cricketers to make a mark internationally. Beyond the cricket matches, both regions expect the tournament to bring economic advantages. The lasting impact long after the final ball is bowled will result from increased tourism, infrastructure improvements, and job opportunities.
