T20 World Cup 2026: Star-studded opening ceremony to get tournament underway in Mumbai

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will burst into life on Saturday evening with a high-energy Opening Ceremony at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium, setting the tone for an action-packed tournament before co-hosts India face the USA.

Starting at 6 pm IST, the ceremony will transform the stadium into a single, immersive stage, combining live music and large-scale choreography, followed by the arrival of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy.

The show opens with a powerful musical medley from Rishab Sharma and Shivamani, before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy makes a spectacular arrival, carried into the stadium by a jetpack performer in a moment designed to captivate fans inside the Wankhede Stadium.

The tournament trophy will be greeted by ICC Chairman Jay Shah and former India captain Rohit Sharma – who led the defending champions to glory at the previous edition in 2024 – who, accompanied by 20 children representing every participating country, will formally declare the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 open.

Following the trophy’s arrival, fans will be treated to headline singing and dance showcases, with chart-topping star Badshah delivering a high-energy live performance before Nora Fatehi takes centre stage for a dynamic dance spectacular, supported by a large cast of dancers. The ceremony culminates with both artists coming together for a grand finale.

The ceremony has been designed to reflect the pace and energy of T20 cricket, with the field of play acting as a unified visual canvas and the official tournament logo forming the main performance stage. The show will close with a stunning pyrotechnic display before the fireworks begin on the pitch with India vs USA starting at 7 pm IST.

Only ticket holders for the match will be able to attend the Opening Ceremony, with those fans strongly encouraged to arrive early to ensure they do not miss any part of the show.