The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 starts its first day on Saturday when Pakistan plays the Netherlands in Colombo. The global cricket event brings its excitement to fans who will watch this competition through India’s and Sri Lanka’s joint hosting. Defending champions India, who are considered one of the favourites this year, will start their campaign on Saturday against the USA at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The tournament begins with a grand opening ceremony which will take place before the main event.
What to Expect at the Opening Ceremony
The ceremony will show the tournament trophy when ICC Chairman Jay Shah and former India captain Rohit Sharma, who led India to the title in 2024, will welcome it. The children will represent each participating nation and together they will officially declare the T20 World Cup 2026 open.
Who Will Perform?
Fans can expect high-energy music and dance performances:
Renowned singer and rapper Badshah will headline the event with a power-packed live act. The audience will enjoy a dynamic dance performance that world famous dancer and actress Nora Fatehi will present with her large group of dancers.
The ceremony will end with both artists coming together for a spectacular joint finale
The show uses this design to show how T20 cricket moves at high speed. The field itself will transform into a visual stage, with the official tournament logo serving as the central performance platform. A stunning pyrotechnic display will close the ceremony-right before the on-field action begins with India vs USA at 7 PM IST.
How to Watch the Ceremony
The opening ceremony will only be visible to people who possess tickets for the India-USA match because they will access the stadium. Fans attending the match are strongly advised to arrive early