Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad & Tobago have been confirmed as the Caribbean venues for the 2024 T20 World Cup to be held in the West Indies and the USA. The ICC had earlier announced the three US venues – Dallas, Florida and New York.
The competition involves as many as 20 teams and will run from June 4 to June 30. The two host countries get automatic qualification, along with the top eight teams of the 2022 T20 World Cup – Australia, England, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka. The next two teams – Bangladesh and Afghanistan – earned their qualification based on their T20I rankings at the end of the last T20 World Cup. Ireland, Scotland and Papua New Guinea booked their spots through the Qualifiers. Five more spots are to be determined, based on the Americas Qualifier, Asia Qualifier and Africa Qualifier.
Speaking about the venues for the multi-team event, 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.”
Johnny Grave, the CEO of Cricket West Indies CEO, added: “This is an exciting moment as we announce the venues approved to host the largest ICC Men’s 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 Caribbean for their overwhelming responses and enthusiasm for hosting what will be the most significant sporting event held in our region for a generation.
“We are confident that together we will deliver a world-class tournament 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,” said Grave.
