In a captivating display of games and pageantry, Sri Lanka Officially began his journey as co-host of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Prestigious R Premadasa International Stadium Colombo today was the scene of a historic moment as the tournament’s golden trophy was unveiled in a ceremony that left thousands of fans in awe.
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 growing sports tourism sector.
Sri Lanka put up a spectacular display to unveil the ICC T20I World Cup 2026 trophy
The highlight of the afternoon occurred moments before the first ODI between Sri Lanka and England. As the crowd took their seats, all eyes turned to the sky. In a completely synchronized performance, professional skydivers fly from the clouds. Headed towards the emerald ground of Premadasa Stadium and came down. a diver took ICC T20 World Cup TrophyIt gleamed platinum in the stadium lights as he made a perfect landing on the center circle.
The formal inauguration of the Trophy Tour was first held at the President’s Secretariat under the leadership of the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. However, the stadium ceremony did give the public a chance to see T20 cricket’s highest prize “up close” for the first time. Over the next four days, the trophy will travel to Kandy, Dambulla and Jaffna, giving fans across the island the opportunity to get into the spirit of the game.
The atmosphere at the stadium was electrifying, doubling as a grand rehearsal for the World Cup. R. Premadasa to host eight important matches including a blockbuster India-Pakistan clash and a possible grand final if the Pakistan team qualifies.
Here is the video:
Falling with some heavy metal! 🪂🏆
The ICC T20 World Cup trophy has officially made its grand entry into the RPICS.#ICCTrophyTour #T20WorldCup #srilankacricket pic.twitter.com/M9nHKAQOgS
– Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) 22 January 2026
Also read: T20 World Cup 2026: Shock to Bangladesh, Pakistan is looking for options
Sri Lanka has to play against England as final preparations 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, hosting a powerhouse like England provides the perfect “dry run” to test pitch conditions, logistics and team depth. The three-match ODI series in Colombo, followed by the T20I in Pallekele, allows the home team to fine-tune its strategies under the leadership of. charit asalanka And Dasun Shanaka.
with 20 countries The stakes for the host country on participating in the upcoming World Cup are huge. Sri Lanka will be the exclusive home for all Pakistan matches, ensuring a huge influx of regional tourists and global media to the local economy. Experts predict the tournament will be a cornerstone of the country’s economic recovery by 2026, with tourism arrivals expected to touch 3 million.
Three world class venues – R. Sri Lanka is positioning itself as a year-round hub for international sports by hosting 20 to 22 matches at the Premadasa, Pallekele International Stadium and the newly upgraded SSC Ground. As the trophy continues its journey across the island, the message is clear: Sri Lanka is ready to welcome the world.
