Major cricket tournaments and series to watch in 2026

2026 promises to be a fascinating year for cricket enthusiasts as several blockbuster series and tournaments are lined up over the next few months, which will captivate the cricket fraternity with high-voltage action.

2025 was also an eventful year in the game of cricket. From the Champions Trophy to the World Test Championship final, Women's Cricket World Cup, and the Ashes, the calendar was packed with blockbuster clashes. However, things are only going to get better for cricket aficionados in 2026.

Let's look at some of the series and events cricket enthusiasts are waiting for with bated breath in the new year.

Major cricket tournaments and series to watch in 2026

5. India's white-ball tour of England

Under Shubman Gill's leadership, a young Indian team fared well in the five-match Test series against England played in the United Kingdom last year. The series ended in a 2-2 stalemate. In 2026, the two teams are going to lock horns once again, but this time, there are only going to be white-ball matches.

In July, the Men in Blue will be heading to England to play five T20Is and three ODIs against Harry Brook and Co. The ODI leg is going to be particularly important as both teams will look to test themselves ahead of the 50-over World Cup in 2027.

4. Asian Games

Cricket is set to feature in the 2026 edition of the Asian Games. A total of 10 men's and eight women's teams will partake in the continental competition, and they will be chosen based on their rankings. This will be cricket's fourth appearance at the Asian Games. The sport made its Asian Games debut in Guangzhou in 2010.

India are the defending champion in both the men's and women's events. Ruturaj Gaikwad led a young Indian team to the gold medal in 2023. Meanwhile, the Indian women's team bagged top honours under Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy.

3. Men's U-19 World Cup

The Men's Under-19 World Cup will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia. It will be the 16th edition of the event. Australia will enter the tournament as defending champions in the 16-team tournament, which will be held from January 15 to February 6.

The tournament gets underway with India taking on the USA in a Group B clash at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on January 15. Zimbabwe and Scotland play the second game on the same day, which concludes with Tanzania taking on the West Indies.

2. Women's T20 World Cup

After the 50-over Women's World Cup turned out to be a blockbuster affair, the expectations from the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup have gone sky-high. A total of 12 teams will be participating in the tournament for the first time.

New Zealand are the defending champion, having defeated South Africa in the previous final. As mant as 33 matches will be played in the upcoming edition of the tournament, which will commence from June 12 and conclude on July 5.

1. Men's T20 World Cup

The men's T20 World Cup is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. It is going to run from February 7 to March 9. This will be the second time that the main competition will begin with 20 teams. Under Rohit Sharma's leadership, India won the previous edition of the T20 World Cup in 2024 by beating South Africa in the final.

The tournament is going to get underway at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 7 as former champions Pakistan square off against the Netherlands. West Indies and Bangladesh will be in action in the second game of the competition on the same day. India will also cross swords with the USA in what will be the final match on the opening day.