India will host the men’s Asia Cup in the T20 format next year, while the tournament will be played in a 50-over format in Bangladesh in 2027.
According to the Invitation for Expressions of Interest for the sponsorship rights document issued by the Asian Cricket Council, a total of 13 matches will feature in the tournament, which will include six teams – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and a sixth team to be decided through a qualifying event.
Although the dates have not yet been finalised, sources have indicated that the tournament could be held sometime in September, once the monsoon season has ended in the country.
As per the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Future Tours Programme (FTP) 2023-27, India has a packed calendar next year, with a limited-overs series against England in January-February, followed by the Champions Trophy in February-March.
After the IPL concludes, the team will tour England from June to August before heading to Bangladesh for three ODIs and as many T20Is. Therefore, the Asia Cup is expected to be held after the Bangladesh series and before the two-match Test series against the West Indies in October. However, sources in the BCCI clarified that no decision has yet been made regarding the possible venues.
While there will be no men’s Asia Cup tournament in 2026, the Women’s Asia Cup will be played that year in a T20 format, followed by the men’s U-19 and Emerging Teams Asia Cup tournaments.
Last year, the Asia Cup was played in a hybrid model, with Pakistan hosting a few matches at home, while India played all its fixtures in Sri Lanka. Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, India clinched the title, defeating Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the final at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
