Your guide to the 2020 T20 World Cup in Brisbane

One of the biggest sporting spectacles in the world is coming to Australia as the 2020 ICC Men's T20 World Cup heads Down Under in October and November 2020, and Brisbane is set to see its fair share of action as an official host city. The T20 World Cup has continued to grow in scale and quality since its inception in 2007, and this year’s edition promises to be a thriller with 16 of the sport’s top nations preparing to battle it out on Australia’s world-famous pitches. National pride is on the line as the most talented cricketers on the planet light up the Gabba with fast-paced cricket, epic team efforts and stunning individual feats. With the tournament fast approaching, here is everything you need to know about the matches being held in Brisbane including schedule, tickets, accommodation and more.

The format

The 2020 T20 World Cup will comprise of the First Round, Super 12s and Knockout stages. In the First Round, eight teams – made up of the eighth and ninth-ranked ICC full members and six associate nations that progressed from a 2019 qualifier tournament in the United Arab Emirates – will split into two groups and battle it out in a round robin. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super 12s, where they will join the eight highest-ranked ICC full members that have already qualified. From there, the top two teams from each group of six will advance to the semi-finals with the winners facing off in the final. With a total of 105 competing nations narrowed down to the final 16, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of first-class cricket on display. It’s a notoriously tough competition, and Australia hasn’t managed to progress beyond the Super 12s since being knocked out in the semi-finals of the 2012 tournament. Can the green and gold return to form, pull out the plays when it comes down to business and come out on top in front of a home crowd?

First Round

Group A:

• Sri Lanka

• Ireland

• Oman

• Papua New Guinea

Group B:

• Namibia

• Netherlands

• Scotland

• Bangladesh

Super 12s

Group 1:

• Australia

• New Zealand

• Pakistan

• West Indies

• Group A winner

• Group B runner-up

Group 2:

• India

• England

• South Africa

• Afghanistan

• Group B winner

• Group A runner-up

Which 2020 T20 World Cup games will be in Brisbane?

Brisbane will host four matches in the Super 12s of the 2020 T20 World Cup at the Gabba in the lead up to the finals:

Saturday 31 October Pakistan v New Zealand
(double header) Australia vs Group A winner*

Monday 2 November New Zealand v Group A winner*

Wednesday 4 November England v Afghanistan

*Ireland, Oman, Papua New Guinea or Sri Lanka

Australia’s match against the winner of Group A will undoubtedly be a highlight, and the home team will be yearning for the grand prize after failing to make it to the semi-finals in the previous two tournaments. While the green and gold have managed to dodge powerhouses India, England and South Africa in the Super 12s stage, they will still need to overcome the world’s top-ranked Twenty20 squad, Pakistan, and an ever-threatening New Zealand outfit. Another challenge also looms: despite their lower ICC ranking in 2020, the West Indies are the reigning champions and the most successful team in T20 World Cup history with two titles and four finals appearances across six tournaments.

As for the setting, the Gabba is Queensland’s undisputed home of cricket and has been for more than a century. It’s not only renowned for being one of the toughest grounds on which to beat Australia, but also typically offers a hard and fast pitch that delivers some of the most exciting Twenty20 cricket in the world. Tickets are now available, so be sure to book yours before you miss out.

Where to stay

Capri by Fraser’s luxurious serviced apartment accommodation, excellent facilities and prime CBD location just minutes from the City Botanic Gardens makes it the perfect place to rest your head during the 2020 T20 World Cup. Choose between a leisurely half-hour walk to the Gabba through the gardens and the Goodwill Bridge, a ten-minute taxi ride down the Pacific Motorway or a simple 15-minute journey on the bus and enjoy the convenience of getting to and from every Twenty20 cricket match with ease.

For your accommodation, take the stress out of balancing your needs and budget with a Deluxe, Executive or Premier studio suite or opt for a larger one-bedroom apartment complete with a spacious living area. All lodgings feature a modern kitchenette, fast and free Wi-Fi, a high definition TV and a Nespresso coffee machine, premium Malin & Goetz products and a Herman Miller work desk. During your stay, take advantage of complete access to our range of on-site facilities including 24/7 reception and concierge services, modern fitness centre, heated swimming pool, sauna, laundry and more. You’ll have plenty of flexibility around dining too, thanks to your well-equipped private kitchenette, 24/7 room service and private dining, the in-house Black Fire Restaurant and plenty of Brisbane’s best eateries just a short walk away.

Exploring the rest of Brisbane

While you’re in town for the World Cup, why not experience everything else Brisbane has to offer? Whether it’s dining, shopping, history, the outdoors, live music or anything else you love, Queensland’s capital city has it in spades. The city’s leading attractions include Streets Beach and the South bank area, sweeping views from Mt Coot-tha, art and entertainment at the Cultural Centre, local wildlife at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and live sport at the Gabba and Suncorp Stadium. There are also a stack of day trips to consider doing to world-class tourist destinations like Surfers Paradise, Springbrook National Park, Moreton Island, Noosa Heads, Tamborine Mountain and Bribie Island.

If you need help booking accommodation or discovering what to do in Brisbane in between Twenty20 cricket matches, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team on +61 7 3013 0088 or at reservations.brisbane@capribyfraser.com.