Fourteen cities across Australia and New Zealand have expressed interest in hosting matches during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028, with tournament organizers expected to shortlist between eight and 10 venues for the global cricket event.
Australia and New Zealand will jointly host the tournament, which is scheduled to take place from mid-October to mid-November 2028. The event is expected to bring together the world’s top cricketing nations and attract thousands of travelling fans from across the globe.
Tournament organizers invited bids from cities and cricket venues in both countries earlier this year. According to reports, 14 cities submitted proposals to host matches, but only eight to 10 are likely to be selected for the final schedule, meaning several applicants could miss out.
The submitted bids will now be evaluated against the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) venue requirements. An independent assessment committee will assist organizers in reviewing each proposal before recommending the final list of host cities.
Officials are expected to announce the selected venues by the end of 2026, although reports suggest a decision could be made as early as mid-October. The selection process will consider stadium facilities, transport infrastructure, accommodation, fan experience and operational readiness.
Organizers are also aiming to strike a balance between ensuring representation across Australia and New Zealand while keeping the tournament logistically efficient. The ICC is reportedly in favour of a more compact tournament, limiting the number of host cities to reduce travel distances for teams, officials and supporters.
A smaller number of venues is expected to simplify scheduling, improve tournament management and create a better experience for players and fans throughout the competition. It would also help reduce operational costs associated with staging matches across multiple locations.
According to reports, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is currently the leading contender to host the tournament final due to its large seating capacity and long history of staging major international cricket events. However, organizers have not yet officially confirmed the venue for the final or any other matches.
Also read: Sahibzada Farhan Wins ICC Player of the Month Award
