ICC, Google announce first-ever AI-powered T20 World Cup for 2026
The partnership kicks off with the “Craziest Fan Kaun” contest, an interactive campaign inviting fans to use Gemini’s image generation capabilities—powered by the Nano Banana model—to design unique “Crazy Fan” avatars.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Google have announced a landmark partnership for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, aiming to deliver the first-ever "AI-powered" edition of the tournament.
Under the collaboration, Google Gemini has been named the "Official AI Fan Companion," while Google Pixel will serve as the "Official Smartphone" of the event.
The initiative seeks to merge live sporting action with advanced generative AI to deepen fan engagement globally.
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The partnership kicks off with the "Craziest Fan Kaun" contest, an interactive campaign inviting fans to use Gemini's image generation capabilities—powered by the Nano Banana model—to design unique "Crazy Fan" avatars.
Winners will be awarded an exclusive match-day experience, attending a World Cup game in person while wearing their custom AI-designed looks.
"This partnership brings together two global organisations united by consumer focus, scale, purpose and innovation," said ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta. "Together, we will use technology to deepen engagement, enhance experiences and make cricket more accessible and meaningful for fans worldwide."
To further integrate AI into the fan journey, the Gemini app will feature a dedicated "Explore Cricket" tab. This hub will offer weekly refreshed content, including AI-generated explanations of complex rules like the DLS system, quizzes, and interactive challenges such as "Design a new cricket format."
Additionally, fans can access "Insight Cards by Gemini," which synthesize web data to create shareable digital snapshots of player milestones and trivia.
On the hardware front, Google Pixel devices will be used to capture exclusive, high-quality content from inside the stadiums. Leveraging Pixel's 48MP 5x telephoto lens and advanced video capabilities, the partnership promises to offer fans never-before-seen perspectives of the on-field action across social media platforms.
Shekar Khosla, VP Marketing at Google India, expressed excitement about the collaboration.
"We are bringing together Gemini's generative capabilities and Pixel's advanced imaging to deliver features that empower fans with new avenues for creativity and celebration," he said.
