The build-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 gathers pace as the complete schedule and broadcast details for the warm-up fixtures have officially been confirmed. The final tune-up before the marquee tournament in India and Sri Lanka will take place from February 2 to 6, featuring 16 matches across four cities.
The warm-up phase will give teams one last opportunity to adjust to conditions, finalise combinations and give players vital match practice before the main event gets underway on February 7.
Warm-up fixtures to kick off in Bengaluru
The warm-up action begins on February 2, with 2024 semi-finalists Afghanistan facing Scotland at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. From there, the action spreads across India and Sri Lanka, with high-profile clashes involving top teams including India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
In India, matches will be staged in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai, while Colombo will host all warm-up fixtures in Sri Lanka.
Venues selected for warm-up matches
The following venues have been confirmed for the warm-up fixtures:
India
- Two grounds at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru
- DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
- M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Sri Lanka
- SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo
- R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- Colombo Cricket Club Ground, Colombo
Fans will also be able to attend selected matches at DY Patil Stadium, including USA vs India ‘A’ on February 2 and India vs South Africa on February 4. Tickets for these matches are available at stadium box offices and online.
Official song released
Meanwhile, the ICC has also unveiled the official anthem of the tournament, “Feel The Thrill”, composed and sung by renowned Indian music star Anirudh Ravichander. The song captures the high-energy atmosphere of the T20 World Cup and has already begun gaining traction among fans worldwide.
Broadcast and streaming details
Cricket fans across the globe will be able to follow the warm-up matches live through a wide range of broadcast and digital platforms.
India
- India vs South Africa will be broadcast live on Star Sports and Jio Hotstar
- Select matches will be streamed live on Jio Hotstar, including:
- Afghanistan vs Scotland
- UAE vs India ‘A’
- Canada vs Italy
- Nepal vs UAE
- Afghanistan vs West Indies
- Pakistan vs Ireland
- Nepal vs Canada
- New Zealand vs USA
- Italy vs UAE
- Namibia vs India ‘A’
- Highlights will be available on ICC digital platforms, including ICC.tv
Sri Lanka
Select matches will be streamed live on ThePapare and Dialog Play, including:
- Afghanistan vs Scotland
- UAE vs India ‘A’
- Canada vs Italy
- Nepal vs UAE
- Afghanistan vs West Indies
- Pakistan vs Ireland
- Nepal vs Canada
- New Zealand vs USA
- Italy vs UAE
- Namibia vs India ‘A’
Pakistan
All warm-up matches will be available live on:
- Myco
- Tamasha
- Tapmad
- ARY Zapp
Afghanistan
Select matches, including Afghanistan vs Scotland and Afghanistan vs West Indies, will be broadcast live on AF Sports.
Bangladesh
Matches will be streamed live on TSM via Rabbithole.
North America
All matches will be available live on Willow TV.
Middle East and North Africa
Select matches will be shown live on E&, including:
- USA vs India
- Nepal vs UAE
- Pakistan vs Ireland
- India vs South Africa
- New Zealand vs USA
- Namibia vs India ‘A’
All remaining matches will be available on ICC.tv.
United Kingdom
Select matches, including India vs South Africa, Afghanistan vs Scotland and Pakistan vs Ireland, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, while the remaining fixtures will be streamed on ICC.tv.
Sub-Saharan Africa
- Afghanistan vs Scotland will be available on ICC.tv
- All other matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport
New Zealand
Select matches, including India vs South Africa and New Zealand vs USA, will be shown on Sky TV NZ, with other games available on ICC.tv.
Other regions
Fans in Australia, Mainland Europe, Caribbean Islands, South East Asia (including Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong), Pacific Islands and South America can watch all matches live on ICC.tv.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up fixtures schedule
(All times local)
2 February
- Afghanistan vs Scotland – BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru (3pm)
- USA vs India ‘A’ – DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai (5pm)
- Canada vs Italy – M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (7pm)
3 February
- Oman vs Sri Lanka ‘A’ – Colombo Cricket Club Ground, Colombo (1pm)
- Netherlands vs Zimbabwe – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (3pm)
- Nepal vs UAE – M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (5pm)
4 February
- Scotland vs Namibia – BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2, Bengaluru (1pm)
- Afghanistan vs West Indies – BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru (3pm)
- Pakistan vs Ireland – SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo (5pm)
- India vs South Africa – DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai (7pm)
5 February
- Zimbabwe vs Oman – Colombo Cricket Club Ground, Colombo (11am)
- Nepal vs Canada – M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (1pm)
- Australia vs Netherlands – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (5pm)
- New Zealand vs USA – DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai (7pm)
6 February
- Italy vs UAE – M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (3pm)
- India ‘A’ vs Namibia – BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru (5pm)
Final rehearsal before the World Cup
With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 just around the corner, the warm-up fixtures promise competitive cricket as teams look to hit peak form. For fans, it marks the official start of World Cup fever — with back-to-back action across two cricket-mad nations.
