Ahmedabad Narendra Modi Stadium Front Runner To Host T20 World Cup 2026 Final: Report

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly set to return the 2026 T20 World Cup to India's top-tier venues after facing criticism for staging the recently concluded Women's World Cup at relatively lesser-known grounds.

According to a report by the Times of India, the upcoming men's tournament, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is expected to feature matches at five premier Indian stadiums along with two or three venues in Sri Lanka.

Unlike previous editions, Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium may not be part of the fixture list. The venue was excluded from the Women's World Cup due to safety concerns following the tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL victory parade in June, which claimed 11 lives.

Sources cited in the report suggested that the stadium's structural safety is currently under review, casting uncertainty over its future hosting capabilities - even for IPL matches.

Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, the world's largest cricket venue, has emerged as the leading contender to host the final. Colombo, meanwhile, is expected to remain a standby option for the knockout stages.

As per ICC sources, Colombo could host a semifinal or even the final, but only if Pakistan or Sri Lanka qualify for those stages.

The upcoming T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams - the same as in 2024 - with the sides divided into four groups of five. The top two from each group will progress to the Super Eights, followed by semifinals and the final.

While the ICC has not officially confirmed the venues or schedule, discussions are ongoing at the governing body's meeting in Dubai. The report adds that the BCCI and PCB have already agreed that India and Pakistan will not play in each other's countries, in line with the arrangement made before the 2025 Champions Trophy.

The high-profile event is expected to begin in February 2026, with fans eagerly awaiting the official venue announcement - and the prospect of another marquee India-Pakistan clash on the global stage.