ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-up Matches: Full Schedule, Venues & Live Streaming
With the countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 officially underway, the International Cricket Council has released the complete schedule for the tournament’s warm-up matches, giving teams one final opportunity to fine-tune their preparations.
The warm-up fixtures will be held from February 2 to February 6, 2026, featuring 16 T20 matches across India and Sri Lanka, just days before the World Cup begins on February 7.
These matches may not carry official points, but for teams chasing early momentum, they often play a decisive role in shaping campaign strategies.
All the Broadcast Details for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Full Global TV & Streaming
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-up Matches Live Streaming: Where to Watch, TV Channels
How to watch ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches
Why Warm-up Matches Are Crucial Before a World Cup
Although warm-up games are classified as non-competitive, their importance goes far beyond the scorecard.
They allow teams to:
- Adjust to pitch and weather conditions
- Finalise playing XI combinations
- Test new batting orders and bowling roles
- Assess form after long travel schedules
- Prepare mentally for high-pressure tournament matches
Unlike regular internationals, all 15 squad members are allowed to take part, giving coaching staff maximum flexibility.
🇵🇰 Pakistan’s Warm-up Match Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
Pakistan will play one official warm-up match before the start of the tournament.
Pakistan vs Ireland – Warm-up Match
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Pakistan vs Ireland |
| Date | 4 February 2026 |
| Time | 5:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo |
| Format | T20 Warm-up |
The fixture carries added importance as the same venue will host two of Pakistan’s group-stage matches, including clashes against the Netherlands and the United States.
The warm-up will also mark Pakistan’s first appearance in Sri Lanka during the tournament, making it a key opportunity to adapt to slower pitches and humid conditions.
🇮🇳 India’s Warm-up Matches Plan Explained
Hosts India have opted for a split preparation strategy.
India’s Warm-up Fixtures
| Team | Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| India (Main) | vs South Africa | Feb 4 | Navi Mumbai |
| India A | vs USA | Feb 2 | Navi Mumbai |
| India A | vs Namibia | Feb 6 | Bengaluru |
The approach allows senior players to manage workload while ensuring bench strength remains match-ready.
T20 World Cup Warm-up Matches 2026 – Schedule
| Date | Time (IST) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2 | 3:00 PM | Afghanistan vs Scotland | Bengaluru (CoE 1) |
| Feb 2 | 5:00 PM | India A vs USA | Navi Mumbai |
| Feb 2 | 7:00 PM | Canada vs Italy | Chennai |
| Feb 3 | 1:00 PM | Sri Lanka A vs Oman | Colombo (CCC) |
| Feb 3 | 3:00 PM | Netherlands vs Zimbabwe | Colombo (RPS) |
| Feb 3 | 5:00 PM | Nepal vs UAE | Chennai |
| Feb 4 | 1:00 PM | Namibia vs Scotland | Bengaluru (CoE 2) |
| Feb 4 | 3:00 PM | Afghanistan vs West Indies | Bengaluru (CoE 1) |
| Feb 4 | 5:00 PM | Ireland vs Pakistan | Colombo (SSC) |
| Feb 4 | 7:00 PM | India vs South Africa | Navi Mumbai |
| Feb 5 | 1:00 PM | Oman vs Zimbabwe | Colombo (CCC) |
| Feb 5 | 3:00 PM | Canada vs Nepal | Chennai |
| Feb 5 | 5:00 PM | Australia vs Netherlands | Colombo (RPS) |
| Feb 5 | 7:00 PM | New Zealand vs USA | Navi Mumbai |
| Feb 6 | 3:00 PM | Italy vs UAE | Chennai |
| Feb 6 | 5:00 PM | India A vs Namibia | Bengaluru |
Warm-up Match Venues Overview
| Venue | Location | Pitch Nature |
|---|---|---|
| BCCI Centre of Excellence | Bengaluru | Balanced bounce |
| MA Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai | Spin-friendly |
| DY Patil Stadium | Navi Mumbai | Batting paradise |
| R Premadasa Stadium | Colombo | Slower surface |
| Sinhalese Sports Club | Colombo | Tactical wicket |
These conditions closely mirror what teams will face during the group and knockout stages.
T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-up Matches Live Streaming & Broadcast
The ICC has officially confirmed the broadcast and streaming arrangements for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches, ensuring fans across the globe can follow the final build-up to the tournament.
While not every warm-up fixture will receive full television coverage, selected high-profile matches will be broadcast and streamed live through official partners.
Where to Watch Warm-up Matches Live
- India: Major warm-up matches, including India vs South Africa, will be broadcast live on Star Sports, with select fixtures streamed on Jio Hotstar.
- Pakistan: All warm-up matches will be available live on Myco, Tamasha, Tapmad and ARY Zapp, allowing fans to follow Pakistan’s preparations without missing a game.
- Sri Lanka: Select matches will be streamed live on ThePapare and Dialog Play.
- UK: Selected warm-up matches will be shown live on Sky Sports, while remaining fixtures will be available on ICC.tv.
- North America (USA & Canada): All warm-up matches will be broadcast live on Willow TV.
- Other Regions: Fans in Australia, Europe, South East Asia, Caribbean, Pacific Islands and South America can watch all warm-up matches live on ICC.tv.
Stadium Entry & Tickets
- Spectators are allowed to attend warm-up matches.
- Some fixtures, especially at training venues, may offer free or low-cost entry.
- High-profile matches, including India vs South Africa, will require tickets.
- Tickets will be available at venue box offices and official online platforms.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Hosts | India & Sri Lanka |
| Tournament Dates | Feb 7 – Mar 8, 2026 |
| Warm-up Dates | Feb 2 – Feb 6 |
| Total Warm-up Matches | 16 |
| Match Format | T20 |