The International Cricket Council (ICC) has put tickets on sale for the semi-finals and finals of the T20 World Cup 2026, but surprisingly, the final venues have yet to be determined. On Tuesday (February 24), ICC announced the sale of tickets through a press release, stating that sales began at 7 PM.
The ticket options include Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Colombo, but it remains unclear in which of these cities the matches will actually be played. The tournament is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, but due to political tensions with Pakistan, a hybrid model is applied.
Under this arrangement, Pakistan plays all its matches in Sri Lanka, directly impacting the knockout match venues. If Pakistan reaches the semi-finals, its match will automatically be shifted to Colombo.
Semi-final 1 as the ‘Floating Match’
The first semi-final will either be hosted at R Premadasa Stadium or Eden Gardens, depending on which teams qualify.
If Pakistan qualifies, the match will be held in Colombo.
If Sri Lanka qualifies (against any team other than India) the match will be in Colombo.
If it's an India vs. Sri Lanka semi-final, the match will take place in Kolkata.
Second Semi-final Decided, But with Conditions
The second semi-final is currently scheduled at Wankhede, although the overall schedule's sensitivity remains tied to the outcome of the first match.
Final in Ahmedabad... With Conditions
The final is planned to take place in Ahmedabad as per the original plan. However, if Pakistan reaches the final, the championship match will also be moved to Colombo. Thus, the tournament’s biggest match hinges on a “conditional venue.”
Challenges for Fans
ICC has requested readiness from two cities for one match. While stadium, security, and logistics preparations proceed in parallel, the greatest uncertainty remains for the audience. Fans may need to book flights, reserve hotels, or plan international travel without a confirmed venue.
What if the Match is Relocated?
ICC has clarified that if a match is relocated, ticket money will be refunded. However, expenses associated with flights, hotels, visas, or other travel will not be reimbursed. Thus, the financial risk of venue changes rests entirely with the audience.
