The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has kicked off with record-breaking viewership on JioStar, marking the biggest-ever opening day for any ICC event across JioHotstar and the Star Sports network.

The tournament, being held in India and Sri Lanka, delivered strong audience engagement across digital and television platforms, reflecting the growing popularity of cricket and the scale of sports broadcasting in the country.

According to a press release from JioStar, total consumption across JioStar’s digital and linear platforms grew by 59 percent compared to the 2024 edition, reaching 14.7 billion minutes on the opening day. The surge in viewership was further driven by India’s opening fixture of their title defence campaign, where the team defeated the USA, drawing massive attention from fans across platforms.

JioHotstar recorded a reach of 101.9 million on the opening day, registering an 81 percent increase over the previous edition. The strong start was mirrored in India’s opening match against the USA, which drove significant viewership momentum. Linear television ratings for the match rose by 41 percent, while digital reach jumped by 98 percent compared to India’s first game against Ireland in the 2024 tournament.

Commenting on the milestone, Ishan Chatterjee, CEO – Sports, JioStar, said the record-breaking viewership reflects India’s appetite for high-quality broadcast innovation and competitive cricket. He noted that JioStar’s expansive presentation in nine languages, combined with engaging matches, has helped keep audiences connected from the very first game. The scale of engagement, he added, creates a strong ecosystem for partners and stakeholders by enabling them to reach a diverse and highly engaged audience.

Echoing similar sentiments, ICC Chief Commercial Officer Anurag Dahiya described the tournament’s opening momentum as unprecedented. He said the surge in viewership across linear and digital platforms highlights the strength of the partnership between the ICC and JioStar in delivering a world-class broadcast experience. According to him, the 14.7 billion minutes of consumption on day one reflects the extraordinary passion for the tournament and the quality of cricket on display.

JioStar’s extensive build-up to the tournament also contributed to the strong response. The promotional campaign included the “Champions Backing Champions” film featuring India’s World Cup-winning women’s team supporting the men’s squad, along with Rohit Sharma’s message urging Team India to “Repeat History and Defeat History.” These initiatives helped generate excitement ahead of the competition and strengthened fan engagement.

The broadcaster has also enhanced the viewing experience through several innovations. With more than 130 experts delivering coverage in nine languages, JioHotstar introduced features such as MaxView in English and Hindi for mobile users and Indian Sign Language coverage for India matches and knockout games, aiming to make the tournament more accessible and immersive for viewers.

JioStar’s presentation of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka is supported by a wide range of partners, including Thums Up, OpenAI, Emirates, Sting, Birla Opus, Mahindra & Mahindra Auto, Apollo Tyres, Rapido, Amul, Vanesa, Axis Max Life Insurance, Hyundai, MoneyView, Britannia, Google Pixel, General Insurance Council, Haier and Life Insurance Council. The strong opening performance sets the tone for what is expected to be a high-engagement tournament as the competition progresses.