The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced a revamped format for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2028, introducing a new Super 10 stage and Eliminators.
The biggest change sees the second stage expanded from eight teams to 10, with the existing Super Eights phase replaced by a Super 10. The tournament, however, remains a 20-team competition.
The move comes after the encouraging performances of emerging nations at the 2026 edition of the T20 World Cup. The new format will provide greater opportunities for Associate and developing cricketing nations to compete deeper into the tournament.
Australia and New Zealand are the co-hosts for the 2028 edition of the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held from October 21 to November 19.
T20 World Cup 2028 format
Under the new T20 World Cup format, the group stage will feature five groups of four teams each instead of the previous four groups of five. The top two teams from each group will advance, ensuring 10 teams qualify for the Super 10 stage.
The Super 10 will comprise two groups of five teams, with each side playing four matches. Unlike the previous format, where the top two teams from each Super Eights group advanced directly to the semi-finals, only the table-topper from each Super 10 group will earn a semi-final slot.
Teams finishing second in each Super 10 group will face the third-placed side from the opposite group in two Eliminator matches, with the winners completing the semi-final line-up.
Furthermore, the revised structure also changes the schedule in terms of the number of matches played at the T20 World Cup.
The group stage clashes have been reduced from 40 matches to 30, while the second stage expands from 12 Super Eights matches to 20 Super 10 fixtures. The tournament will continue to conclude with two semi-finals and the final.
The Indian cricket team is the two-time defending T20 World Cup champions and the most successful side in the history of the competition with three titles.
READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/icc-men-t20-world-cup-2028-new-format-explained
