The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has entered one of its most thrilling phases — the Super Eights stage, featuring the top eight teams from the group round of the global tournament being co‑hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The Super Eights round will take place between 21 February and 1 March 2026, leading into the semi‑finals and the eagerly anticipated final on 8 March.
After an intense group stage of 40 matches, where the top two teams from each of the four pools secured their passage, the Super Eights pits the continent’s best sides against each other in a fresh round‑robin format.
Super Eight Groups: Who’s in the Running?
The Super Eights stage splits qualified teams into two balanced groups of four:
- Group 1: India, South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe
- Group 2: England, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
This setup ensures a blend of traditional powerhouses and emerging contenders, with each team having three high‑stakes matches to showcase their title ambitions.
India, the defending champions and one of the co‑hosts, headline Group 1 alongside West Indies, South Africa and Zimbabwe — a mix of seasoned performers and breakthrough teams. Group 2 features England, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka — representing a dynamic blend of batting firepower and crafty bowling units.
Full Super Eight Fixtures: Dates & Venues
The Super Eights fixture list delivers a feast of world‑class cricket over 12 match days across India and Sri Lanka:
📍 21 February — Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
• New Zealand vs Pakistan
📍 22 February
• Sri Lanka vs England — Kandy
• India vs South Africa — Ahmedabad
📍 23 February — Mumbai
• Zimbabwe vs West Indies
📍 24 February — Kandy
• England vs Pakistan
📍 25 February — Colombo
• New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
📍 26 February — Ahmedabad & Chennai
• South Africa vs West Indies — Ahmedabad
• India vs Zimbabwe — Chennai
📍 27 February — Colombo
• England vs New Zealand
📍 28 February — Kandy
• Sri Lanka vs Pakistan
📍 1 March — New Delhi & Kolkata
• Zimbabwe vs South Africa — New Delhi
• India vs West Indies — Kolkata
These venues — from the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata — ensure legions of fans will witness unforgettable cricketing moments in some of the sport’s most passionate settings.
Key Rivalries and Matchups
Several fixtures already have fans and analysts buzzing:
- India vs South Africa (22 Feb): A clash between two top contenders; India’s depth and spin prowess face South Africa’s explosive pace attack.
- New Zealand vs Pakistan (21 Feb): A classic tussle of strategy and aggression — a high‑pressure opener for Group 2.
- England vs New Zealand (27 Feb): A potential decider for semi‑final positioning.
- India vs West Indies (1 Mar): Could be a de facto semi‑final preview with explosive batting expected.
The balance of batting firepower and bowling depth in these fixtures highlights why the Super Eight stage is often regarded as the heart of the tournament — where momentum swings and match‑winning performances define championship pathways.
One crucial factor that could play a decisive role in outcomes is the weather — especially in Sri Lanka. Colombo and Kandy have forecast delays and showers during multiple match days, and these conditions could influence team strategies, including batting order decisions and bowling rotations.
Matches in India — particularly in Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Kolkata — are expected to favor spinners and dry‑pitch specialists, offering contrasting conditions that reward tactical adaptability.
Standout Team Watchlists
India: Reigning champions with a deep batting lineup and world‑class bowlers, seen as favourites in Group 1.
South Africa: Consistent performers with strong all‑round balance.
West Indies: Dynamic and unpredictable — capable of upsets.
Zimbabwe: Tournament surprises, carrying momentum into the Super Eights.
England: Aggressive batting and depth make them Group 2 contenders.
New Zealand: Tactical discipline and experience could see them progress.
Pakistan: High‑impact players but weather and consistency will be key.
Sri Lanka: Home conditions may provide an edge.
The top two teams from each Super Eight group will qualify for the semi‑finals on 4 and 5 March, setting up the final on 8 March — almost a month since the tournament began.
Cricket pundits have already begun speculating about potential semifinal combinations and favorite picks, but the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket — high scores, close finishes, and impactful individual performances — ensures that anything is possible.
As the ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights 2026 groups and fixtures unfold, cricket lovers around the world are glued to schedules and stats, weighing team strengths and matchups that could rewrite T20 World Cup history.
The stage is set — 12 games of high‑voltage cricket that will define the competition’s climax. Whether it’s spin mastery, batting fireworks, or death‑over thrills, this Super Eight round promises to deliver unforgettable moments for fans and players alike.
