If you’re searching for a men’s Asia Cup this year, here’s the honest answer: there isn’t one. The next Men’s Asia Cup is scheduled for 2027 in the ODI format, with 2026 instead reserved for Associate-nation qualifiers. The real Asia Cup action this year belongs to the women’s game.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026: The Details
The tenth edition of the Women’s Asia Cup runs from August 28 to September 13 in the T20I format, hosted for the first time by the United Arab Emirates. All 15 matches are being played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium under lights.
Format and Groups
- Eight teams split into two groups of four, each side playing the others in its group once
- Group A: India, Pakistan, Thailand, Hong Kong China
- Group B: defending champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, hosts UAE, debutants Indonesia
- Top two from each group advance to the semi-finals on September 10 and 11, with the final on September 13
For India’s specific path through the group stage, including the marquee clash with Pakistan, see our dedicated Asia Cup 2026 India squad and challenges breakdown.
Why There’s No Men’s Edition
The Men’s Asia Cup rotates its format between ODI and T20I, and after India’s title win over Pakistan in the T20I edition last September, the calendar simply doesn’t have room for a full-scale men’s tournament in 2026. The Asian Cricket Council instead used the year for its qualifying pathway, including the Premier Cup in Malaysia and the Challenger Cup in Singapore.
How to Watch
The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 is being broadcast on Sony Sports Network, with live streaming available via SonyLIV in India. For the wider picture of what’s on the cricket calendar right now, see our global cricket tournament calendar for 2026.