The wait is almost over for global cricket fans. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup warm-up match schedule was officially released on Monday, January 26, setting the stage for the final round of preparations before the main tournament begins on February 7, 2026.
The warm-up fixtures will be played from February 2 to February 6, giving teams a crucial opportunity to adapt to conditions, test combinations, and fine-tune strategies ahead of the marquee event.
What are T20 World Cup warm-up matches?
Warm-up matches are official practice games held just before the tournament starts. While they don’t count towards points or rankings, they play a big role behind the scenes.
Teams use these games to get used to pitches and weather, rotate players freely, and settle on their strongest XI. There’s no fixed playing XI rule here — all squad members can take part during the match, making experimentation easy and risk-free.
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For emerging teams like the USA, Namibia, Italy or Zimbabwe, these matches are especially valuable as they get rare exposure against top cricketing nations.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches: Full fixtures
Here’s the complete list of confirmed warm-up matches, along with venues and start times (IST):
02 Feb – Afghanistan vs Scotland – BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru (3:00 PM)
02 Feb – USA vs India A – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai (5:00 PM)
02 Feb – Canada vs Italy – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (7:00 PM)
03 Feb – Oman vs Sri Lanka A – Colombo Cricket Club Ground (1:00 PM)
03 Feb – Netherlands vs Zimbabwe – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (3:00 PM)
03 Feb – Nepal vs UAE – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (5:00 PM)
04 Feb – Scotland vs Namibia – BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru (1:00 PM)
04 Feb – Afghanistan vs West Indies – BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru (3:00 PM)
04 Feb – Pakistan vs Ireland – Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo (5:00 PM)
04 Feb – India vs South Africa – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai (7:00 PM)
05 Feb – Zimbabwe vs Oman – Colombo Cricket Club Ground (11:00 AM)
05 Feb – Nepal vs Canada – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (1:00 PM)
05 Feb – Australia vs Netherlands – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (5:00 PM)
05 Feb – New Zealand vs USA – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai (7:00 PM)
06 Feb – Italy vs UAE – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (3:00 PM)
06 Feb – Namibia vs India A – BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru (5:00 PM)
India’s warm-up matches: Why only one game for the main team?
One detail that has caught fans’ attention is India’s schedule. The Indian senior team will play just one warm-up match, against South Africa on February 4 in Navi Mumbai.
At first, that may seem light compared to other teams. But there’s a clear strategy behind it. Alongside the main squad, India A will play two warm-up matches — against the USA and Namibia — ensuring enough match practice without overloading key players.
The idea is simple: manage workload, avoid last-minute injuries, and keep both first-choice and backup players match-ready heading into the tournament.
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Where to watch India vs South Africa warm-up match
The India vs South Africa warm-up match will be played at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, starting at 7:00 PM IST.
Fans can watch the match live on JioHotstar, which will broadcast selected warm-up fixtures.
Warm-up venues and playing conditions
The warm-up matches will be hosted across India and Sri Lanka, offering teams exposure to a variety of playing conditions:
- Bengaluru (BCCI Centre of Excellence): Balanced pitches with good bounce
- Chennai (MA Chidambaram Stadium): Spin-friendly surfaces, ideal for middle-overs testing
- Navi Mumbai (DY Patil Stadium): Batting-friendly tracks and quick outfields
- Colombo venues: Slower pitches with humidity, testing fitness and adaptability
This mix closely mirrors what teams can expect during the main tournament.
Can fans attend warm-up matches?
Yes. Most warm-up matches will be open to spectators. Several games — especially those not involving major teams — may offer free entry or low-priced tickets.
High-profile fixtures like India vs South Africa are expected to be ticketed due to demand and security requirements. Ticket details will be announced through official ICC and venue channels closer to match dates.
FAQs
From February 2 to February 6, 2026.
No. These matches don’t affect points tables or rankings.
To manage workload and reduce injury risk, while India A handles additional match practice.
