SYDNEY: Fourteen cities across Australia and New Zealand have submitted bids to host matches during the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) leading the charge to host the tournament’s final, according to Australian media.
Scheduled to be held in October and November 2028, the tournament will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
As part of the site selection process for the global event, organizers received expressions of interest from prospective host cities earlier this year.
According to Australian media reports, 14 cities have expressed interest in hosting the tournament formally. However, only eight to 10 host cities are expected to be selected as per the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) hosting guidelines.
As a result, bids are likely to be floated from four to six cities once the final list of locations is confirmed.
The selection process is carried out in accordance with ICC requirements, with the organizers aiming to strike a balance between geographical coverage, operational efficiency and commercial considerations.
Australian media say tournament organizers are keen to avoid spreading matches across multiple venues, hoping a streamlined schedule will simplify logistics, improve operational planning and reduce travel demands for teams, officials and supporters throughout the tournament.
A smaller number of host cities is expected to improve scheduling flexibility and help provide more efficient competition in both countries.
Meanwhile, the Melbourne Cricket Ground is widely regarded as the leading candidate to host the final, further cementing its reputation as one of world cricket’s premier venues.
The MCG has previously hosted several major ICC events, including the 1992 and 2015 Men’s Cricket World Cup Finals, as well as the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Finals.