Record number of fan parks for the T20 World Cup and AI-assisted vertical feed to optimise viewing on mobile devices (courtesy Disney Star), are some of the star attractions lined up by the ICC for the short-format cricket extravaganza beginning June 1.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a record number of fan parks will broadcast the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with nine live sites in five different countries, bringing the biggest cricket carnival to more communities than ever before in ICC World Cup history.

In total 22 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 matches will be broadcast in locations, including New York City, New Delhi and Rawalpindi, totalling the most amount of fan parks for an ICC World Cup ever, crickets global governing body said in a media statement.

The parks will see live entertainment, including DJs, as well as food and drink outlets, cricket ambassadors and family activities, making it an experience not to be missed for fans across the globe.

In New York City, the Oculus World Trade Center is one of the standout venues, with the fan park showing 18 matches on 10 different dates, including the highly anticipated Final on June 29.

New Yorkers can also watch the World Cup opener between USA and Canada on June 1, as well as clashes between arch-rivals Australia and England on June 8 and India and Pakistan on June 9. Ten different fan parks will show the Group A game between India and Pakistan, including Cedar Creek Park, Seaford, New York hosted by Nassau County, the Indira Gandhi Indoor Arena in New Delhi, India and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Pakistan.

There will also be an opportunity for fans in the other two host USA locations with Epic Central in Grand Prairie, Texas and Broward County Stadium in Florida hosting fan parks.

Outside of the USA, the DP World Wanderers Stadium in South Africa will show the Proteas’ first match against Sri Lanka on June 3 and the highly anticipated India v Pakistan game, while Birmingham’s Edgbaston Cricket Stadium will also show the June 9 fixture.

The ICC’s Broadcast Partners in each region will support all ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 fan parks by providing live feeds.

ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley said: “We are thrilled to be able to bring communities together through broadcasting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in a record number of fan parks. These parks are designed to make the sport more accessible and enjoyable, allowing fans of all ages to experience a T20 World Cup like never before. With 23 matches shown across 16 fan parks in five different countries, the fan parks will help connect more people to the biggest T20 World Cup ever.”

AI Supported Vertical Feed: ICC also announced that cricket world’s first AI supported vertical feed will be launched at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

To deliver an unmatched viewing experience for cricket fans worldwide during the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, alongside live coverage of every match, a comprehensive world feed service will be available for licensees and an AI supported vertical feed, a world first for cricket, will be launched.

Ensuring fans have access to all 55 matches across 28 days of action, the extensive coverage will feature a pre-match show, an innings interval programme, and a post-match wrap-up when the event kicks off on June 1 with hosts USA taking on Canada in Dallas.

Taking a step further into the world of vertical 9:16 aspect-ratio coverage following the success at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, ICC TV will introduce an AI-supported vertical feed.

Produced in collaboration with Disney Star, Quidich Innovation Labs, and NEP for the event, the coverage is designed to engage casual fans with an intuitive viewing experience optimized for mobile devices.

Meanwhile, an illustrious commentary panel featuring cricketing legends will provide insights and analysis, ensuring the fans get to experience the game in all its glory from the nine host locations across the USA and West Indies.

(Image courtesy ICC website)