The ICC on Friday confirmed the venues that will host the 2024 T20 World Cup from June 4 to 20 in the West Indies and the USA.
Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, St Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago and St Vincent & The Grenadines are the seven Caribbean venues which will be hosting the showpiece event.
Meanwhile, the USA is also set to co-host the prestigious tournament for the first time with the Grand Prairie in Dallas, Broward County in Florida and Nassau County in New York announced as venues by the global cricket governing body.
Speaking about the announcement, ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “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.”
“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.
Meanwhile, a delighted CEO of Cricket West Indies Johnny Graves said: “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,” he added.
Notably, USA was selected as the co-hosts back in November 2021 when the ICC Board awarded them the hosting rights.
The ICC said that the venues were chosen following an extensive evaluation of several options.
In the 2024 edition, a total of 20 teams will be participating for the coveted title and the big prize money. While 15 teams have already been confirmed, the Americas, Asia and Africa Qualifier will determine the remaining five spots in the coming months.
United States and West Indies qualify by virtue of being hosts while Australia, England, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka will be part of the tournament after finishing in the top 8 in the 2022 edition.
Also, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have also qualified, courtesy their respective ranks in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Ranking at the end of the previous T20 World Cup. As of now, Ireland, Scotland and PNG have also sealed their berths for the showpiece event via the Qualifiers.