The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has made a historic start, registering the highest opening-day viewership in the tournament’s history.
With cricket returning to the subcontinent, fans turned up in massive numbers across digital and television platforms, setting new benchmarks for global cricket consumption.
According to official figures, total watch time on day one surged by 59 percent compared to the 2024 edition.
Combined viewership across JioHotstar and Star Sports totaled 14.7 billion minutes, underscoring the tournament’s explosive popularity from the first ball.
India’s opening match against the USA played a major role in driving the record numbers.
As the defending champions began their campaign with a convincing win, digital platform JioHotstar alone recorded a reach of over 100 million viewers, marking a massive jump from the previous T20 World Cup opener.
Television ratings also witnessed sharp growth, while digital engagement nearly doubled compared to India’s first game in 2024.
Broadcast innovation has been a key factor behind the surge. Coverage in nine languages, expert panels featuring more than 130 analysts, and mobile-focused features such as enhanced viewing modes have strengthened fan engagement.
The multi-platform approach has ensured that audiences across regions can follow the action in their preferred language and format.
Officials from both the ICC and the broadcast network credited the strong partnership and high-quality presentation for the record-breaking start.
They highlighted that the combination of marquee fixtures, innovative production, and India’s deep-rooted passion for cricket created an unmatched opening-day response.
Major brands have also aligned with the tournament, reflecting strong commercial confidence in the event’s scale and reach.
With viewership already setting new milestones, industry experts believe the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 could continue rewriting records as the competition progresses.
