England’s road to the T20 World Cup 2026 will officially kick off in Sri Lanka, with the ECB confirming a white-ball tour comprising three ODIs and three T20Is early next year.
The series begins with the ODIs on January 22, 24 and 27, followed by T20Is on January 30, February 1 and February 3. Venues for the matches are yet to be announced, but the tour is set to provide England with invaluable game time in subcontinental conditions — a perfect dress rehearsal before the global event co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka later in the year.
England, crowned T20 champions in 2010 and 2022, will be chasing a historic third title in 2026. After falling short in the semi-finals of the previous edition held in the West Indies and USA, Jos Buttler’s men will be determined to fine-tune their preparations.
This will also mark England’s first white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in over seven years — their last visit came in 2018, where they won the ODI series 3-1 and clinched the one-off T20I. The two sides last met in a T20 World Cup clash in 2022, a must-win encounter that England won by four wickets before going on to lift the trophy.
The tour slots into a packed calendar for the reigning ODI world champions, who will travel to South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand in late 2025 before heading Down Under for a blockbuster Ashes series.
England Men’s Tour of Sri Lanka – Schedule
- 1st ODI – 22 January 2026
- 2nd ODI – 24 January 2026
- 3rd ODI – 27 January 2026
- 1st T20I – 30 January 2026
- 2nd T20I – 1 February 2026
- 3rd T20I – 3 February 2026
With subcontinental pitches likely to play a big role in the World Cup, this tour could shape England’s campaign and test their adaptability in conditions where spin is expected to dominate.
