Social media users expressed widespread frustration on Thursday evening as the International Cricket Council (ICC) opened Phase 1 ticket sales for the highly anticipated 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The sale commenced at 6:45 PM IST, but the ticketing platform quickly struggled to cope with the immense fan demand.
The Rush for Affordable Tickets
The official link shared in the ICC’s media release redirected fans to BookMyShow. However, the experience was immediately marred by technical difficulties:
- Platform Crashes: Many users reported that the ticketing platform crashed the moment they clicked the link, preventing them from even entering the purchasing system and adding to the chaos.
- Virtual Queues: Other fans who managed to gain access complained about exceptionally long virtual queues, particularly for high-demand matches, most notably the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash scheduled for Colombo on February 15.
A Vision for Accessibility
Earlier in the day, the ICC had announced a major focus on accessibility and affordability for this tournament. Over 2 million tickets are up for sale in the first phase, with a second phase to be announced soon.
- Affordable Pricing: Phase 1 tickets were kept highly affordable, starting at just INR 100 in India (approximately $1.11) and LKR 1000 in Sri Lanka (approximately $3.26).
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta emphasized the governing body’s clear vision:
“Our vision for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is clear: every fan, regardless of background, geography or financial means, should have the chance to access an in-stadia experience… With tickets starting from just ₹100 and LKR1000, we are putting affordability at the centre of our strategy.”
Gupta added that the 2026 edition, featuring 20 teams and 55 matches, is set to be the “most ambitious and inclusive T20 World Cup in history.”
Tournament Details
The 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams playing 55 matches and is scheduled to commence on February 7, 2026.
- Host Cities (India): Ahmedabad, Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
- Host Cities (Sri Lanka): Colombo (with two venues) and Kandy.
- Opening Match: Defending champions India will play against the USA in one of the three matches slated for the opening day of the tournament.