The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a new strategic global partnership with Google to deliver an AI-powered fan experience for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Google Gemini has been named the official AI fan companion, while Google Pixel has been appointed as the official smartphone of the tournament, indicating a big step toward integrating artificial intelligence into popular sports fans.
The collaboration intends to redefine how fans find, understand, and enjoy the game by combining generative AI, immersive digital features, and on-ground technology. Gemini will allow fans to engage with cricket in new ways through interactive tools, personalised content, and AI-driven insights, whereas Google Pixel will bring fans closer to the action with high-quality visuals and unique in-stadium perspectives thanks to its advanced camera and video capabilities.
ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta, said, “The partnership brings together two global organisations united by scale, innovation and a consumer-first approach. He noted that Google’s leadership in AI, search and discovery aligns with the ICC’s ambition to create integrated “phygital” fan experiences that deepen engagement and make cricket more accessible across touchpoints.”
Shekar Khosla, VP Marketing at Google India, said, “Building on the success of AI-led fan engagement at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, the expanded partnership for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will combine Gemini’s generative capabilities with Pixel’s advanced imaging to empower a new generation of digital-first fans to celebrate the sport in more creative ways.”
The cooperation began with the introduction of the Gemini “Craziest Fan Kaun” interactive contest, which let fans to utilise Gemini’s image production tools to create their own ‘Crazy Fan’ avatars. Selected winners will enjoy special in-stadium experiences during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where they will attend matches dressed in custom AI-designed outfits generated on the site.
Google and the ICC are also launching a dedicated “Explore Cricket” page within the Gemini app, which will provide fans with weekly updated content like simpler explanations of difficult rules, quizzes, interactive games, and creative challenges. In addition, Gemini-powered Insight Cards will provide shareable snippets of player trivia, milestones, and critical events, allowing fans to celebrate teams and players across social media. On the hardware front, Google Pixel will provide high-quality, behind-the-scenes and in-action visuals from within the stadium, giving viewers fresh viewpoints thanks to its superior camera capabilities.
The ICC and Google stated that these elements are just the beginning of a larger roadmap, with more AI-powered fan interaction tools and immersive experiences expected to be released as the tournament approaches.
