The excitement around the India vs Pakistan clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has reached unprecedented levels, with ticket sales causing major technical issues due to overwhelming demand. The high-voltage encounter is already being described as the most in-demand cricket match of 2026, underlining the unmatched global appeal of the rivalry.
The incident took place on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, when the second phase of ticket sales for the T20 World Cup opened online. The tournament will be held in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March 2026, with the India–Pakistan group-stage match scheduled for 15 February (Sunday) at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Ticket Sales Crash Within Minutes
Tickets went live at 7:00 PM IST through the ICC’s official ticketing partner. Within minutes, tens of thousands of fans logged in at the same time, leading to server overload and a complete crash of the booking platform. Many users reported failed payments, frozen screens, and repeated logouts.
According to sources, almost all the traffic was driven by the India vs Pakistan match, while ticket sales for other fixtures continued more smoothly. Even after sales briefly resumed later in the evening, tickets for the marquee clash showed a “coming soon” status, indicating they were either sold out or temporarily withheld.
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Ticket Prices and Fan Demand
To ensure wider fan access, the ICC announced record-low ticket prices for the tournament:
- Starting at ₹100 in India
- Starting at LKR 1,000 in Sri Lanka
For the India vs Pakistan match specifically, Phase 2 ticket prices began at LKR 1,500 (around ₹450). Despite affordable pricing, the demand far exceeded expectations, highlighting the scale of interest.
| Match | Venue | Starting Ticket Price |
|---|---|---|
| India vs Pakistan | Colombo | LKR 1,500 |
| India vs USA | Mumbai | ₹2,000 |
| India vs Namibia | Delhi | ₹500 |
India and Pakistan are placed together in Group A, alongside the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands. Their clash is not only crucial for qualification but also carries huge emotional and historical significance.
India enter the tournament as defending champions, having won the 2024 T20 World Cup, while Pakistan remain one of the strongest white-ball teams. Past ICC events show that India–Pakistan tickets often sell out within minutes, and the 2026 edition has followed the same pattern.
The International Cricket Council is expected to provide an update on ticket availability and platform stability in the coming days. Additional ticket windows or controlled releases may be introduced to manage demand more effectively.
As the T20 World Cup returns to the subcontinent for the first time since 2016, the early ticket frenzy has already set the tone. If this rush is any indication, the India vs Pakistan match in Colombo is set to be one of the largest-attended and most-watched games in T20 World Cup history.
