In a breathtaking display of sports and spectacle, Sri Lanka has officially begun its journey as a host ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Iconic R. Premadasa International Stadium Colombo was the scene for a historic moment today as the tournament’s gold trophy was unveiled to the amazement of thousands of fans.
With the tournament scheduled to run from February 7 to March 8, 2026, the arrival of the trophy marks the beginning of a high-stakes era for Sri Lankan cricket. The event not only marks the return of a major global ICC tournament to the island for the first time since 2012, but also serves as an important catalyst for the country’s burgeoning sports tourism sector.
Sri Lanka put up a dazzling show to present the ICC T20I World Cup 2026 trophy
The highlight of the afternoon came moments before the first ODI against Sri Lanka England. All eyes turned to heaven as the crowd took their seats. In a perfectly synchronized display, professional parachutists swooped down from the clouds onto the emerald turf of the R. Premadasa Stadium. He took a dive ICC T20 World Cup trophyHis platinum sparkled under the stadium lights as he landed precisely in the center circle.
The official opening of the “Trophy Tour” took place earlier at the presidential secretariat headed by the president. Anura Kumara Dissanayake. However, the stadium ceremony gave the public their first ‘up close’ look at the ultimate prize in T20 cricket. Over the next four days, the trophy will travel to Kandy, Dambulla and Jaffna, allowing fans from all over the island to experience the spirit of the game.
The atmosphere in the stadium was electrifying, doubling as a spectacular rehearsal for the World Cup itself. R. Premadasa will host eight important matches including a blockbuster India-Pakistan A clash and a potential grand final if the Pakistan team qualifies.
We present the video:
Get down with some heavy metal! 🪂🏆
The ICC T20 World Cup Trophy has officially made its grand entry at the RPICS.#ICCtrophyTour #T20WorldCup #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/M9nHKAQOgS
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 22, 2026
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Sri Lanka will play England in their final warm-up for the T20 World Cup
The ongoing bilateral series against England is more than a standard international match; It is a strategic laboratory for both teams. For Sri Lanka, having a powerhouse like England provides the perfect ‘dry run’ to test pitch conditions, logistics and squad depth. The three-match ODI series in Colombo, followed by the T20Is in Pallekele, allows the home team to fine-tune their strategies. Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka.
with 20 countries Taking part in the upcoming World Cup, the stakes are high for the host country. Sri Lanka will be the exclusive home for all Pakistan matches, providing a massive influx of regional tourists and global media to the local economy. Experts predict that the tournament will be the cornerstone for the country’s economic recovery in 2026 and that tourism arrivals will exceed 3 million.
By hosting 20-22 matches at three world-class venues – R. Premadasa, Pallekele International Stadium and the newly upgraded SSC Ground, Sri Lanka positions itself as a year-round hub for international sports. As the trophy continues its journey across the island, the message is clear: Sri Lanka is ready to welcome the world.
