“Willow by Cricbuzz is enhancing the cricket viewing experience for U.S. fans in 2026 with groundbreaking updates, including free YouTube streaming of all Team USA ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches, a first-ever creator-led alternate telecast, expanded partnerships like FloSports for broader access, live coverage of major tournaments such as the TATA Women’s Premier League and ICC U19 World Cup, and technological improvements for faster, sharper streaming and real-time updates.”
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Innovations
Willow by Cricbuzz is set to transform how American audiences engage with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup this year. For the first time in the tournament’s history, the platform is rolling out a creator-led alternate telecast, designed to offer a fresh perspective on the games. This feature brings in popular cricket influencers and analysts to provide commentary that’s more interactive and entertaining, appealing to both die-hard fans and newcomers to the sport. The alternate feed will run alongside the traditional broadcast, allowing viewers to switch seamlessly between the two for a customized experience.
In addition to this, all matches involving Team USA—four in total during the group stage—will be streamed entirely free on YouTube, marking a significant milestone for cricket accessibility in the U.S. This move aims to grow the sport’s popularity by removing paywalls for key games that feature the home team. Beyond the free offerings, the entire tournament, including warm-up matches, Super Eight games, semi-finals, and the final, will be available live on Willow’s linear channel and app. Subscribers can expect high-definition streaming with minimal latency, ensuring they don’t miss a single boundary or wicket.
The platform has also integrated advanced stats overlays powered by Cricbuzz’s data engine, providing real-time insights such as player performance metrics, predictive analytics for match outcomes, and historical comparisons. For instance, during live broadcasts, viewers can access on-screen graphics showing batting strike rates, bowling economies, and team win probabilities updated every over.
Expanded Access Through Strategic Partnerships
A key update for 2026 involves Willow by Cricbuzz’s collaboration with FloSports, which kicked off in late January. This partnership expands distribution channels, making Willow’s content available on FloSports’ platform for subscribers who prefer bundled sports services. Through this deal, fans can watch major international matchups, including those from the ICC T20 World Cup, without needing a separate Willow subscription. FloSports users gain access to Willow’s extensive library, which includes not just live games but also on-demand replays and highlight packages.
This integration is particularly beneficial for U.S. viewers who follow multiple sports, as it positions cricket alongside other disciplines like wrestling, gymnastics, and track and field on the same service. The partnership also introduces cross-promotional features, such as joint live chats and expert panels discussing cricket’s growth in America. Additionally, Willow has enhanced its compatibility with smart TV apps and streaming devices, ensuring smooth integration with platforms like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV for a more seamless viewing setup.
TATA Women’s Premier League and Domestic Leagues
Willow by Cricbuzz isn’t limiting its updates to men’s international cricket; the platform is doubling down on women’s and domestic tournaments. The TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is a highlight, with live streaming of all matches, including high-stakes encounters like the Eliminator between Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals. Fans can follow the league’s progress through detailed scorecards, video highlights, and post-match analyses directly on the app.
Beyond the WPL, Willow is covering the World Legends Pro T20 League, featuring semi-finals such as Delhi Warriors versus Dubai Royals. This league brings together retired cricket legends in a fast-paced format, adding a nostalgic yet competitive edge to the season. The platform’s updates include multi-language commentary options for these events, catering to diverse U.S. audiences, including those preferring Hindi or regional dialects alongside English.
To organize the viewing schedule, Willow has introduced a personalized calendar feature in its app, where users can set reminders for specific matches or teams. This tool syncs with device calendars and sends push notifications for key moments, like when a favorite player is batting.
Technological and User Experience Enhancements
| Tournament | Key Matches Covered | Streaming Features |
|---|---|---|
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | All games, including Team USA vs. opponents in group stage | Free YouTube for USA matches, creator-led alternate feed, HD with stats overlays |
| TATA Women’s Premier League | Eliminator: Gujarat Giants vs. Delhi Capitals; Full league | Live scores, highlights, multi-language options |
| World Legends Pro T20 League | Semi-Final 2: Delhi Warriors vs. Dubai Royals | On-demand replays, expert panels |
| ICC Men’s U19 World Cup | Semi-finals and Super Six stages | Youth-focused analyses, future star spotlights |
For 2026, Willow by Cricbuzz has undergone a major overhaul in its backend infrastructure to deliver faster and sharper streaming. Load times for live feeds have been reduced by up to 40%, thanks to optimized servers and edge computing. This ensures that even during peak viewing hours—such as during India-Pakistan clashes—users experience buffer-free playback.
The app’s interface has been redesigned with a focus on user-friendliness, featuring a dark mode for late-night watching, customizable home screens that prioritize followed teams, and integrated social sharing tools. Fans can now clip and share 30-second highlights directly from the stream to platforms like Twitter or Instagram, fostering community discussions around pivotal moments.
Real-time updates extend to news feeds within the app, pulling in Cricbuzz’s comprehensive coverage of player injuries, team selections, and weather impacts on matches. For example, during the ICC warm-up games, users receive instant notifications on lineup changes for teams like Namibia versus Scotland.
Subscription models have been refined as well, with tiered plans starting at affordable monthly rates for basic access, up to premium bundles that include ad-free viewing and 4K resolution where available. New users can take advantage of trial periods to explore these features during the early season tournaments.
Growth Initiatives for Cricket in America
Willow by Cricbuzz is leveraging these updates to fuel cricket’s expansion in the U.S., where the sport is gaining traction post the 2024 T20 World Cup co-hosted here. By making Team USA matches free, the platform is targeting casual sports fans who might tune in via YouTube and discover the excitement of T20 cricket. Educational segments are being added to broadcasts, explaining rules and strategies in simple terms to onboard new viewers.
Community engagement is another focus, with virtual watch parties hosted on the app where fans can interact via live polls and chats. Partnerships with local cricket leagues in cities like New York, Dallas, and Los Angeles are in the works, potentially including streaming of domestic U.S. tournaments later in the year.
Overall, these enhancements position Willow by Cricbuzz as the go-to destination for comprehensive cricket coverage, blending high-quality production with innovative accessibility to keep U.S. fans at the heart of the action.
Disclaimer: This news report is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment tips, or endorsements. All information is based on publicly available sources and is believed to be accurate, but readers should verify details independently.
