Ricky Martin fever grips fans ahead of India–New Zealand T20 World Cup Final

The stage is set for the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as finalists India and New Zealand prepare to take the field before a packed crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

However, fans are in for more than just cricket. Many supporters have started arriving at the stadium hours before the first ball, eager to watch their childhood pop icon Ricky Martin perform live during the closing ceremony.

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Large groups of fans could be heard singing Livin’ la Vida Loca while waiting in queues to enter the stadium, with some admitting that the performance by the global pop star was reason enough to secure tickets for the marquee event.

Cricket craze in Ahmedabad for BIG FINAL

• 1.35 lakhs+ ticket sold for NM stadium.
• 6000 rooms book in luxury hotels.
• 80 Private Jets to visit.
• 23 Flight book already.
• Special trains arrangements.
• Ambani, Mittals to attend….See more pic.twitter.com/fJhzu5s8js

— Indian Cricket (@IPL2025Auction) March 7, 2026

Alongside Ricky Martin, popular Indian performers Falguni Pathak and Sukhbir Singh will also headline the closing ceremony of the tournament.

The event promises to blend international star power with the vibrant energy of Indian music, with large-scale performances set to add extra sparkle to the blockbuster India–New Zealand final.

A two-time Grammy Award winner and five-time Latin Grammy Award winner, Ricky Martin is widely known for global hits such as Livin’ la Vida Loca, She Bangs, and the iconic football anthem The Cup of Life, the official song of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Known for his electrifying stadium performances, Martin now adds the world’s largest cricket stadium to his list of iconic venues.

Earlier, the pop icon expressed his excitement about performing at the tournament’s grand closing ceremony.

“Sport and music have a unique way of bringing people together, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is a celebration of that shared passion,” Martin said. “It’s an honour to be part of such a special occasion where millions of fans come together with incredible energy and love for the game. I’m excited to perform at the Closing Ceremony and celebrate the thrill of the tournament with fans in the stadium and around the world.”

The gates at the Narendra Modi Stadium opened at 3:30 PM (IST), with the closing ceremony performances scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM IST, ahead of the much-anticipated final at 7:00 PM IST.

With a packed stadium expected and millions watching across the globe, the closing ceremony is set to deliver a dazzling cultural celebration before cricket’s biggest T20 event reaches its dramatic climax.