The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Sub-regional Qualifier is the largest EAP qualifying tournament in history, featuring nine associate nations competing across May 8 to May 18, 2026 in Japan.
The tournament is hosted across two prefectures with the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi and Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin City (Aichi) sharing fixtures, and serves as the qualification pathway for the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Hosts Japan join Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, South Korea, and Vanuatu in a three-group format that progresses to a Super Six stage and a separate consolation tri-series for the eliminated teams.
2026 EAP Qualifier: Full Schedule
The 27-match tournament runs across 11 days with two daily slots: 9:30 AM and 2:00 PM local Japan time (JST). The full fixture list is below in chronological order.
Group Stage (May 8-10, 2026)
| Match | Date | Teams | Venue | Time (Local JST / IST / GMT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Match | Friday, May 8 | Indonesia vs Philippines | Sano International Cricket Ground | 9:30 AM / 6:00 AM / 12:30 AM |
| 2nd Match | Friday, May 8 | Fiji vs Vanuatu | Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin | 9:30 AM / 6:00 AM / 12:30 AM |
| 3rd Match | Friday, May 8 | Cook Islands vs South Korea | Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin | 2:00 PM / 10:30 AM / 5:00 AM |
| 4th Match | Saturday, May 9 | Indonesia vs Samoa | Sano International Cricket Ground | 9:30 AM / 6:00 AM / 12:30 AM |
| 5th Match | Saturday, May 9 | Japan vs Vanuatu | Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin | 9:30 AM / 6:00 AM / 12:30 AM |
| 6th Match | Saturday, May 9 | South Korea vs Papua New Guinea | Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin | 2:00 PM / 10:30 AM / 5:00 AM |
| 7th Match | Sunday, May 10 | Samoa vs Philippines | Sano International Cricket Ground | 9:30 AM / 6:00 AM / 12:30 AM |
| 8th Match | Sunday, May 10 | Japan vs Fiji | Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin | 9:30 AM / 6:00 AM / 12:30 AM |
| 9th Match | Sunday, May 10 | Papua New Guinea vs Cook Islands | Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin | 2:00 PM / 10:30 AM / 5:00 AM |
Super Six Stage (May 12-18, 2026)
The top two teams from each group advance to the Super Six stage. Sano International Cricket Ground will host all six matches.
| Match | Date | Teams | Venue | Time (Local JST / IST / GMT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Six Match 1 | Tuesday, May 12 | TBC vs TBC | Sano International Cricket Ground | 9:30 AM / 6:00 AM / 12:30 AM |
| Super Six Match 2 | Tuesday, May 12 | TBC vs TBC | Sano International Cricket Ground | 2:00 PM / 10:30 AM / 5:00 AM |
| Super Six Match 3 | Wednesday, May 13 | TBC vs TBC | Sano International Cricket Ground | 9:30 AM / 6:00 AM / 12:30 AM |
| Super Six Match 4 | Wednesday, May 13 | TBC vs TBC | Sano International Cricket Ground | 2:00 PM / 10:30 AM / 5:00 AM |
| Super Six Match 5 | Thursday, May 14 | TBC vs TBC | Sano International Cricket Ground | 9:30 AM / 6:00 AM / 12:30 AM |
| Super Six Match 6 | Thursday, May 14 | TBC vs TBC | Sano International Cricket Ground | 2:00 PM / 10:30 AM / 5:00 AM |
| Super Six Match 7 | Saturday, May 16 | TBC vs TBC | Sano International Cricket Ground | 9:30 AM / 6:00 AM / 12:30 AM |
| Super Six Match 8 | Saturday, May 16 | TBC vs TBC | Sano International Cricket Ground | 2:00 PM / 10:30 AM / 5:00 AM |
| Super Six Match 9 | Sunday, May 17 | TBC vs TBC | Sano International Cricket Ground | 9:30 AM / 6:00 AM / 12:30 AM |
| Super Six Match 10 | Sunday, May 17 | TBC vs TBC | Sano International Cricket Ground | 2:00 PM / 10:30 AM / 5:00 AM |
| Super Six Match 11 | Monday, May 18 | TBC vs TBC | Sano International Cricket Ground | 9:30 AM / 6:00 AM / 12:30 AM |
| Super Six Match 12 | Monday, May 18 | TBC vs TBC | Sano International Cricket Ground | 2:00 PM / 10:30 AM / 5:00 AM |
Consolation Tri-Series (May 12-18, 2026)
The three eliminated teams from the group stage compete in a consolation tri-series at Sano International Cricket Ground 2 to determine the lower placings. Each team plays the other twice across 6 matches.
2026 EAP Qualifier: Teams and Groups
The nine participating nations have been split into three groups of three. The hosts Japan are placed in Group 1, which is hosted at the Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin City, Aichi.
Group 1 (Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin)
Hosts Japan are joined by two associate sides who have built strong recent records in EAP cricket. Fiji enter as the highest-ranked side in the group based on previous regional results.
- Fiji
- Japan (Hosts)
- Vanuatu
Group 2 (Sano International Cricket Ground)
Group 2 features three Pacific and Southeast Asian sides at Japan Cricket Association’s headquarters in Sano. Indonesia and the Philippines are expected to compete for top spot.
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Samoa
Group 3 (Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin)
Papua New Guinea, the highest-ranked T20I side in the EAP region, headlines Group 3. The Barramundis are heavy favourites to top the group ahead of Cook Islands and South Korea.
- Cook Islands
- Papua New Guinea
- South Korea
Where to Watch 2026 EAP Qualifier Live
The ICC has confirmed broadcast and streaming for selected matches across the tournament. Live streaming options remain limited compared to senior ICC events but cover most fixtures via official channels.
| Platform | Coverage | Region |
|---|---|---|
| ICC.tv | Live streaming | Worldwide |
| Japan Cricket Association YouTube | Free live stream | Worldwide |
| Cricket PNG | Match highlights | Papua New Guinea |
| FanCode | Selected matches | India |
| Cricbuzz | Live scores and commentary | Worldwide |
| ESPNCricinfo | Live scores and commentary | Worldwide |
| Member board social media | Highlights and clips | Region-specific |
ICC.tv is expected to provide the most comprehensive coverage, with all Super Six matches likely to be streamed live across the tournament’s nine playing days.
Tickets for 2026 EAP Qualifier
The Japan Cricket Association has not announced a formal paid ticketing system for the tournament.
- Visit cricket.or.jp for the latest entry information
- Follow Japan Cricket Association social media for stadium updates
- Walk-up entry is the most common practice for EAP fixtures
- Sano International Cricket Ground is approximately 100 km from Tokyo
- Kōrogi Sports Park is approximately 25 km east of Nagoya
- The Nisshin venue serves as a test event for the Asian Games 2026 cricket competition
Why This Series Matters
The 2026 EAP Qualifier is the largest tournament of its kind ever hosted, with significant implications for the future of cricket in the East Asia-Pacific region.
For 2028 T20 World Cup Qualification
The tournament forms the first step in the qualification pathway for the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Specifically, the top finishers in the Super Six stage advance to the next phase of qualification, although the ICC has not yet confirmed the exact number of teams that will progress or whether the EAP region will regain an automatic World Cup spot.
For Japan and the Asian Games
The Nisshin venue at Kōrogi Sports Park serves as a compulsory test event for the Asian Games 2026 cricket competition, scheduled for September 2026. The successful staging of the EAP Qualifier directly impacts Japan’s readiness for the multi-sport showpiece. Specifically, Nisshin City will host its first-ever international cricket matches across the tournament.
For Pacific Cricket Development
Papua New Guinea, the highest-ranked T20I side in the EAP region, leads a strong Pacific contingent that includes Fiji, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, and Samoa. The format guarantees each side plays at least 6 matches, providing valuable T20I exposure and ranking points for development sides.
For Indonesia, Philippines, and South Korea
The three Asian sides outside the Pacific use the qualifier as a major step in establishing themselves on the international cricket map. Indonesia, in particular, has built significant momentum after winning their recent T20I series against Malaysia.
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Conclusion: Largest Ever EAP Qualifier Begins May 8 in Japan
The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Sub-regional Qualifier brings together nine associate nations across 11 days of cricket in Japan, marking the largest tournament of its kind ever staged in the region.
Defending EAP champions Papua New Guinea face a stiffer test than ever from a deeper field, with hosts Japan, Fiji, Indonesia, Philippines, Cook Islands, Samoa, South Korea, and Vanuatu all competing for a place at the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Play begins at 9:30 AM JST on Friday, May 8, 2026, with all matches streamed live on ICC.tv and the Japan Cricket Association’s official YouTube channel.
