As the 2026 T20 World Cup reaches its fever pitch, a wave of concern has hit cricket enthusiasts in Kolkata. Eden Gardens, famously known as the "Mecca of Cricket," was scheduled to host the first semifinal of the tournament. However, according to recent updates from the ICC, the venue for this high-stakes clash remains uncertain and could potentially be moved to Colombo.

With the tournament being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the ICC's logistical arrangements and team qualification scenarios are the primary reasons for this potential shift: Due to ongoing diplomatic sensitivities, Pakistan is playing all their matches in Sri Lanka. Under ICC's pre-determined guidelines, if Pakistan qualifies for the semifinals, their match will automatically be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, regardless of their original seeding.
According to the ICC’s "Floating Fixture" policy, if Sri Lanka qualifies for the semifinals, they reserve the right to play in front of their home crowd in Colombo, provided their opponent is not India. While it was initially thought that only a Pakistan qualification would move the match, a recent email from the ICC to stakeholders suggests that a Sri Lankan qualification could also trigger the venue shift to ensure maximum stadium attendance and local engagement.

This uncertainty has left fans in a dilemma regarding travel plans and ticket bookings. The hospitality industry in Kolkata, which was expecting a massive influx of international tourists for the semifinal, is also monitoring the situation closely.

While Eden Gardens is still set to host the high-voltage India vs. West Indies clash on March 1st, the loss of a knockout game would be a significant blow to the city's sporting calendar. All eyes are now on the Super 8 points table to see how the final four shape up.