The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday (September 22) announced all the venues for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.
USA and West Indies were awarded the hosting rights for the showpiece tournament. It will be the first time that USA will stage the T20 World Cup, with Grand Prairie in Dallas, Broward County in Florida and Nassau County in New York picked as the venues.
Among the venues in the Caribbean, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, St Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, and St Vincent & The Grenadines have been locked in by the ICC.
“We’re delighted to announce the seven Caribbean venues that will host the biggest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup ever staged, with 20 teams competing for the trophy. They’re all popular venues with players and fans alike that will provide a wonderful backdrop to the event,” ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said in a statement.
“This will be the third ICC senior men’s event hosted by the West Indies, and the matches will again give cricket fans the unique experience of enjoying cricket in the Caribbean. I’d like to thank Cricket West Indies and the seven host governments for their continued commitment and support of our sport,” he added.
Johnny Graves, the CEO of Cricket West Indies, was delighted by the news. “This is an exciting moment as we announce the Caribbean venues approved to host the largest ICC T20 World Cup in history, with 20 teams playing in 55 matches in June next year.
“We are grateful to the host Governments of the West Indies for their overwhelming responses and enthusiasm for hosting what will be the most significant sporting event held in the West Indies for a generation. The seven host countries have all committed to upgrading their international cricket venues and practice facilities, continuing to support and preserve the proud legacy of West Indies cricket.
“We are confident that together we will deliver a world-class event tournaments showcasing the best this region has to offer with our unique culture and carnival atmosphere that will ensure there is a real celebration of the sport next June.”
The 2024 edition of T20 World Cup will see 20 teams divided into four groups of five each for the first round. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Eight stage.
In the Super Eight, teams will be split into two groups of four each, with the top two sides from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
The tournament will include teams from host nations West Indies and the USA, as well as Australia, defending champions England, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Netherlands.
Ireland, Scotland, and Papua New Guinea have already sealed their spots for the tournament while regional qualifiers in the Americas, Asia, and Africa will determine the remaining five spots in the coming months.
(With ICC Inputs)
