The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has begun with record-breaking viewership across JioStar‘s digital and linear channels, marking the biggest opening day for any ICC tournament on the network.
The event, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, had a significant increase in viewership and reach, highlighting cricket’s enduring dominance in India’s media industry. Total consumption across JioStar’s platforms, including JioHotstar and the Star Sports network, reached 14.7 billion minutes on the first day, a 59% increase over the first day of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The first day also had the biggest first-day usage for an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on the network.
JioHotstar alone had a reach of 101.9 million viewers on day one, an 81% increase over the 2024 edition. The momentum was fuelled by India’s opening match against the United States, which drew a large crowd as supporters tuned in to see India begin their championship defence.
The India vs USA event saw a substantial increase on both screens. Linear TV ratings for the match were up 41% from India’s opening game of the 2024 T20 World Cup against Ireland, while digital reach increased 98%. The figures support Indian sports viewers’ increased dual-screen habit, with headline fixtures now airing concurrently on television and OTT.
Ishan Chatterjee, CEO – Sports, JioStar, said, “The record-breaking viewership for the opening day of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka demonstrates India’s appetite for innovative broadcast and high-octane on-field action. JioStar’s expansive presentation in nine languages coupled with exciting matches have kept fans engaged right since the first match. Such massive engagement creates a powerful ecosystem that ensures our partners and stakeholders derive the maximum value, reaching a diverse, engaged audience at an unmatched scale.”
Anurag Dahiya, ICC Chief Commercial Officer, said, “We are delighted to see the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 begin with such unprecedented momentum. The surge in viewership across linear and digital platforms is a testament to the strength and scale of our partnership with JioStar in delivering a truly world-class broadcast experience, alongside the valued contribution of our broader broadcast and commercial partners. Reaching 14.7 billion minutes of consumption on day one alone reflects the extraordinary passion for the tournament and the quality of cricket on display. We look forward to building on this momentum as the event progresses.”
On the product side, JioStar has expanded its broadcast operation to include over 130 specialists providing coverage in nine languages. JioHotstar has also launched platform-level innovations for mobile consumers, such as MaxView in English and Hindi, as well as Indian Sign Language coverage for India matches and knockout games, to increase accessibility and diversity in live sports consumption.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 broadcast on JioStar is supported by a number of commercial partners, such as Thums Up, OpenAI, Emirates, Sting, Birla Opus, Mahindra & Mahindra Auto, Apollo Tyres, Rapido, Amul, Vanesa, Axis Max Life Insurance, Hyundai, MoneyView, Britannia, Google Pixel, the General Insurance Council, Haier, and the Life Insurance Council.
With the competition still in its early stages, the opening day results set a high standard for the coming weeks. If early enthusiasm continues, the 2026 edition is on course to be one of the most-watched ICC championships in India, solidifying the market’s pivotal role in global cricket broadcasting and advertising.
