Punjab Newsline,Sports :
Music, stardom and high-octane visuals to light up Mumbai ahead of India vs USA opener
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will get underway in spectacular fashion on Friday evening with a dazzling opening ceremony at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. Designed to match the pace and thrill of T20 cricket, the high-energy show will set the stage for the much-anticipated tournament opener between co-hosts India and the USA later in the night.
The ceremony will begin with a powerful musical medley by renowned artists Rishab Sharma and Shivamani, instantly building the atmosphere inside the packed stadium. One of the biggest highlights of the evening will be the dramatic arrival of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy, which will be flown into the stadium by a jetpack performer, creating a visually stunning moment for fans in attendance.
The trophy will then be received by ICC Chairman Jay Shah and former India captain Rohit Sharma, who famously led India to the T20 World Cup title in the 2024 edition. They will be joined by 20 children representing all participating nations, symbolising the global spirit of the tournament, before officially declaring the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 open.
Entertainment will continue with a star-studded showcase as popular music icon Badshah delivers a high-voltage live performance. This will be followed by a grand dance spectacle by Nora Fatehi, supported by a large troupe of dancers. The two stars will later come together for a memorable grand finale performance.
The entire field of play will serve as a single visual canvas, with the official tournament logo doubling up as the main stage. The ceremony will conclude with an impressive pyrotechnic and fireworks display, moments before cricketing action begins with the India vs USA clash scheduled for 7 pm IST.
The opening ceremony marks the start of the 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be played across venues in India and Sri Lanka. A total of 20 teams, divided into four groups, will compete in 55 matches for the prestigious trophy. Attendance at the opening ceremony will be restricted to match ticket holders only.