Cricket — 2026 international + leagues hub.
Last updated:
Updated May 26, 2026 · DynastyDaily Editorial
Direct answer
Cricket in 2026 is anchored by the ICC T20 World Cup (Feb-Mar in India/Sri Lanka). India enters as defending champions and ICC #1. The Indian Premier League runs March-May, followed by domestic T20 leagues including BBL (Australia), MLC (USA), CPL (Caribbean), and PSL (Pakistan). The Ashes returns in winter 2027 (Australia). Watch internationally via Sky Sports, Star Sports, Foxtel, Willow TV, JioCinema, and ICC.tv.
Major cricket competitions 2026
| Competition | Format | Region | Window 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICC T20 World Cup | T20I (20 overs) | Global | Feb-Mar 2026 (India/SL) |
| Indian Premier League (IPL) | T20 | India | Mar-May |
| The Ashes | Test (5-day) | England v Australia | Winter 2027 (Australia) |
| Big Bash League (BBL) | T20 | Australia | Dec 2026 - Jan 2027 |
| Major League Cricket (MLC) | T20 | USA | June-July |
| Caribbean Premier League (CPL) | T20 | Caribbean | Aug-Oct |
| Pakistan Super League (PSL) | T20 | Pakistan | Feb-Apr |
| County Championship | First-class | England | Apr-Sep |
Top international teams (ICC rankings 2026)
- India
- Australia
- England
- South Africa
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- West Indies
T20 vs ODI vs Test — format differences
- Test cricket: 5 days, two innings per side, longest format, most prestigious
- ODI (One-Day International): 50 overs per side, one day, World Cup format
- T20 (Twenty20): 20 overs per side, ~3 hours, most popular at club/IPL level
- The Hundred (England only): 100 balls per side, 2.5 hours, newest format
Where to watch cricket 2026
- India: Star Sports, Disney+ Hotstar, JioCinema (IPL exclusive)
- Australia: Foxtel, Kayo, Channel 7 (some matches free)
- England/UK: Sky Sports Cricket, BBC (highlights)
- USA: Willow TV, ESPN+ (MLC)
- Global: ICC.tv (international matches), espncricinfo.com (scores)
Frequently asked
Who won the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup?
India won the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, beating South Africa in the final at Barbados. The next T20 World Cup is Feb-Mar 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
What is the difference between IPL and international cricket?
The IPL (Indian Premier League) is a domestic T20 league featuring international stars across 10 franchise teams. International cricket is national-team matches sanctioned by the ICC across three formats (Test, ODI, T20I).
Who is the highest-paid cricketer in 2026?
Indian Premier League auction values typically dictate top contracts. In recent IPL auctions, players like Pat Cummins, Shreyas Iyer, and Mitchell Starc commanded INR 20+ crore contracts (~$2.4M USD).
When is the next Cricket World Cup?
The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup (ODI format) is scheduled for 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The ICC T20 World Cup is in Feb-Mar 2026 (India/Sri Lanka).
Where can I watch IPL 2026?
IPL 2026 streams exclusively on JioCinema (free in India). International viewers can watch via Star Sports network, Willow TV (US), Sky Sports (UK), Foxtel (Australia).
More from DynastyDaily
- → Soccer hub
- → Rugby hub
- → Sport viewership 2026
- → WNBA hub
- → Golf hub
- → MotoGP hub