The T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches schedule represents the final preparation phase before the main tournament begins.
Teams will use this window to fine-tune tactics, assess playing conditions, and finalize their squad combinations.
These practice fixtures serve as a bridge between training sessions and competitive tournament matches.
Coaches can experiment with strategies and give all squad members match time without the pressure of official results affecting their campaign.
T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-Up Matches Schedule

T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-Up Matches Schedule
| Date | Time (IST) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02 Feb | 03:00 PM | Afghanistan vs Scotland | BCCI Centre of Excellence 1, Bengaluru |
| 02 Feb | 05:00 PM | USA vs India A | DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| 02 Feb | 07:00 PM | Canada vs Italy | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 03 Feb | 01:00 PM | Sri Lanka A vs Oman | Colombo Cricket Club Ground |
| 03 Feb | 03:00 PM | Netherlands vs Zimbabwe | R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| 03 Feb | 05:00 PM | Nepal vs UAE | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 04 Feb | 01:00 PM | Namibia vs Scotland | BCCI Centre of Excellence 2, Bengaluru |
| 04 Feb | 03:00 PM | Afghanistan vs West Indies | BCCI Centre of Excellence 1, Bengaluru |
| 04 Feb | 05:00 PM | Ireland vs Pakistan | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo |
| 04 Feb | 07:00 PM | India vs South Africa | DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| 05 Feb | 01:00 PM | Oman vs Zimbabwe | Colombo Cricket Club Ground |
| 05 Feb | 03:00 PM | Canada vs Nepal | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 05 Feb | 05:00 PM | Australia vs Netherlands | R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| 05 Feb | 07:00 PM | New Zealand vs USA | DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| 06 Feb | 03:00 PM | Italy vs UAE | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 06 Feb | 05:00 PM | India A vs Namibia | BCCI Centre of Excellence 1, Bengaluru |
What Are T20 World Cup Warm-Up Matches?
Warm-up matches are non-competitive practice games scheduled before the tournament begins. These fixtures help teams adjust to playing conditions without affecting official standings or rankings.
- Non-Competitive Nature
Results from warm-up games do not count toward ICC rankings, tournament points, or qualification scenarios. Teams treat these as training exercises rather than matches with competitive consequences.
- Flexible Squad Usage
All 15 squad members can participate in warm-up fixtures. Teams are not bound to submit a fixed playing XI after the toss, allowing complete rotation flexibility.
- Condition Adaptation
The T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-Up Matches Schedule helps teams evaluate pitch behavior, weather patterns, and ground dimensions. This data informs tactical planning for tournament matches.
- Team Combination Testing
Coaches assess batting orders, bowling sequences, and fielding positions during warm-ups. Backup players receive match time to demonstrate form and readiness for selection.
India’s Warm-Up Matches List: Main Team vs India A
India Main Team
| Matches Played | Opponent | Date | Time (IST) | Venue | Captain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 04 February 2026 | 07:00 PM | DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai | Suryakumar Yadav |
India’s only warm-up match comes three days before the tournament opener on 7 February. The limited preparation window makes this fixture crucial for finalizing the playing XI and testing match-day strategies against quality opposition.
India A Team
| Opponent | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 02 February 2026 | DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| Namibia | 06 February 2026 | BCCI Centre of Excellence 1, Bengaluru |
The T20 WC 2026 Warm-Up Matches Schedule includes two fixtures for India A, keeping reserve players match-ready. This setup balances workload management for the primary squad while ensuring backup options maintain competitive sharpness.
Why Some Teams Are Not Playing Warm-Up Matches?
England and Sri Lanka will skip official warm-up fixtures during the T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-Up Matches Schedule period.
Both nations are involved in a bilateral T20I series running from 2 to 6 February.
The ongoing series serves as their preparation phase.
Match practice, tactical adjustments, and player evaluation are already addressed through competitive T20I games between the two sides.
Sri Lanka A will participate in one warm-up match against Oman on 3 February at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground.
This arrangement allows Sri Lanka’s reserve squad to gain match exposure while the main team focuses on the bilateral series.
Warm-Up Match Venues and Playing Conditions
- Bengaluru – BCCI Centre of Excellence
The venue provides balanced pitches with true bounce and some seam movement. Fast bowlers get early assistance while batters enjoy consistent bounce for strokeplay throughout the innings.
- Chennai – MA Chidambaram Stadium
This spin-friendly surface offers turn and grip as matches progress. Batters face challenges with lower scoring rates, making it ideal for teams wanting to test spin-heavy combinations.
- Navi Mumbai – DY Patil Stadium
The pitch favors aggressive batting with a fast outfield and even bounce. Teams can expect high totals and opportunities for boundary-hitting from the opening overs.
- Colombo Venues
Both R Premadasa Stadium and Colombo Cricket Club Ground feature humid conditions and slower pitches. Spinners extract grip while seamers need to adjust lengths for reduced bounce and pace off the surface.
T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-Up Matches – Is it Available for Fans?
Several warm-up matches will allow public entry, with some venues offering free or subsidized tickets.
Stadium access varies depending on the match profile and venue capacity.
High-profile fixtures like India vs South Africa require purchased tickets.
Host venues typically announce ticketing arrangements and pricing structures closer to match dates through official channels.
Broadcast and streaming coverage will be selective across the 16 fixtures.
India’s matches are expected to receive television and digital platform coverage, given audience demand.
Other warm-up games may have limited or no live broadcast, depending on broadcaster agreements.
Fans should monitor official ICC and host board announcements for confirmed viewing options.
Conclusion:
The T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches fixtures provide teams with their last preparation opportunity before the main tournament.
Key points include:
Total Matches: 16 warm-up games across two host nations
Match Window: February 2-6, concluding one day before tournament start
India’s Preparation: The main team plays once; India A plays twice for depth management
Venue Impact: Four distinct venues offer varied pitch conditions and weather challenges
These practice fixtures allow teams to address final tactical questions before competitive action begins on 7 February 2026.
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