In a country where cricket is more than a sport and every delivery is felt in the heart, FM Derana was announced as the Official Radio Broadcaster in Sri Lanka for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at a media briefing held on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, at the Sea Festival Hall of the Sri Lanka Tourism Board.
Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the global cricketing spectacle is scheduled to take place from 7 February to 8 March 2026, bringing the world’s best teams to a nation that lives and breathes the game.
For FM Derana, this announcement also marks a continuation of a journey that changed Sri Lanka’s cricket broadcast landscape. The station was the first local private radio broadcaster to become an official radio broadcaster for an ICC World Cup, when it secured the rights for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. In doing so, FM Derana broke the long-standing government monopoly on live cricket radio broadcasting, opening the door for a wider, more competitive, and more fan-driven experience for listeners across the country.
For Sri Lankans, cricket is followed in buses and tea shops, on factory floors and village verandas, with radios turned up and emotions worn openly. Reflecting this deep-rooted connection, FM Derana’s coverage was positioned to ensure that fans across the island experienced every moment of the tournament, live, immersive, and with the unmistakable energy that defines Sri Lankan cricket fandom.
The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will feature 55 matches, and FM Derana confirmed comprehensive islandwide coverage through its 92.2 and 92.4 FM frequencies. The broadcasts were set to be led by some of the country’s most respected and experienced commentators, capturing not just the action on the field but the stories, tension, and pride that travel with it. In addition to live match commentary, FM Derana also announced a range of radio and digital programming, featuring insights from veteran cricketers and expert coaches, to keep fans connected before, during, and after every game.
The briefing was attended by senior leadership of the Derana Media Network and Sri Lanka Cricket, alongside iconic figures from the sport. Among those present were Madhawa Madawala, Executive Director/ Chief Operation Officer; Bandula Dissanayake, Secretary – Sri Lanka Cricket, veteran commentator Bandula Saman Waturegama; Bandara Wijeratne, General Manager – Programs of FM Derana; and Roshan Fernando, General Manager – Marketing of FM Derana.
As the nation prepares to once again rally behind the lion flag, FM Derana’s role as Official Radio Broadcaster ensures that every cheer, every heartbreak, and every moment of glory will be carried into homes and hearts across Sri Lanka, because for this island, cricket is not just watched, it is lived.
