T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-up Matches: Official Schedule & Broadcast Information Confirmed

The countdown to cricket’s biggest T20 spectacle has officially begun! The ICC has confirmed complete schedule and broadcast details for 16 warm-up matches happening between February 2-6, 2026, across India and Sri Lanka. Teams are finalizing preparations before the tournament kicks off on February 7, and fans worldwide now know exactly when and where to catch all the action.

The T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up phase brings intense preparation as all participating teams fine-tune their strategies across four iconic cricket cities. From Bengaluru to Colombo, Chennai to Navi Mumbai, the world’s best T20 cricketers are ready to showcase their skills before the main tournament begins. These 16 matches offer fans an exclusive preview of team combinations, player form, and tactical approaches that will shape the championship chase.

Complete Warm-up Schedule Overview

Venue Breakdown by City

India Venues

Bengaluru (BCCI Centre of Excellence)

• Ground 1 and Ground 2 hosting multiple fixtures
• State-of-the-art practice facilities
• World-class infrastructure for team preparations

Navi Mumbai (DY Patil Stadium)

• Premium venue for high-profile matches
• Tickets available for India A vs USA and India vs South Africa
• Modern facility with excellent spectator amenities

Chennai (M.A. Chidambaram Stadium – Chepauk)

• Historic cricket cathedral
• Spin-friendly conditions testing team strategies
• Night matches under iconic Chennai atmosphere

Sri Lanka Venues (Colombo)

Three Premium Grounds:

• SSC Cricket Ground
• R. Premadasa Stadium
• Colombo Cricket Club Ground

All three Colombo venues offer world-class facilities for international cricket preparation.

Day-by-Day Complete Schedule

February 2, 2026 (Opening Day)

Streaming Status: All three matches live streamed globally

February 3, 2026

Streaming Status: Nepal vs UAE live streamed globally

February 4, 2026 (Biggest Day)

Morning/Afternoon Fixtures:

• Scotland vs Namibia – BCCI CoE Ground 2, Bengaluru (1:00 PM)
• Afghanistan vs West Indies – BCCI CoE Ground 1, Bengaluru (3:00 PM)
• Pakistan vs Ireland – SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo (5:00 PM)

Evening Headliner:

• India vs South Africa – DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai (7:00 PM)

Streaming Status: Afghanistan vs West Indies, Pakistan vs Ireland, and India vs South Africa all live streamed

Ticket Alert: India vs South Africa tickets available at BookMyShow and DY Patil box office!

February 5, 2026

Complete Day Schedule:

• Zimbabwe vs Oman – Colombo Cricket Club (11:00 AM)
• Nepal vs Canada – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (1:00 PM)
• Australia vs Netherlands – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (5:00 PM)
• New Zealand vs USA – DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai (7:00 PM)

Streaming Status: Nepal vs Canada and New Zealand vs USA live streamed globally

February 6, 2026 (Final Warm-up Day)

• Italy vs UAE – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (3:00 PM)
• India A vs Namibia – BCCI CoE Ground 1, Bengaluru (5:00 PM)

Streaming Status: Both matches live streamed globally

Live Streaming & Broadcast Information by Region

India Broadcasting

Star Sports & Jio Hotstar:

• India vs South Africa (exclusive live coverage)
• 10 select matches on Jio Hotstar including Afghanistan vs Scotland, USA vs India A, Canada vs Italy, and more

Pakistan Broadcasting

Multiple Platforms:

• Myco, Tamasha, Tapmad, and ARY Zapp
• All warm-up matches available live

Sri Lanka Broadcasting

ThePapare & Dialog Play:

• 10 select matches live including Afghanistan vs Scotland, Nepal vs UAE, Pakistan vs Ireland, and others

International Coverage

North America (Willow TV): All matches live

UK (Sky Sports): Select matches including India vs South Africa, Afghanistan vs Scotland, Pakistan vs Ireland

Middle East & North Africa (E&): 6 select matches including India vs South Africa and Pakistan vs Ireland

Sub-Saharan Africa (SuperSport): Comprehensive coverage

Bangladesh (TSM via Rabbithole): All matches available

Afghanistan (AF Sports): Afghanistan’s matches live

New Zealand (Sky TV NZ): India vs South Africa and New Zealand vs USA

Australia, Europe, Caribbean, Southeast Asia: Check local ICC licensees

Global Free Streaming

ICC Digital Platforms:

• Matches available FREE in territories without official broadcast partners
• Watch on ICC.tv and ICC official platforms
• Video highlights available for ALL 16 matches across ICC digital channels

How to Get Tickets

Available Matches:

• USA vs India A (February 2) – DY Patil Stadium
• India vs South Africa (February 4) – DY Patil Stadium

Purchase Options:

• Online: BookMyShow.com
• In-person: DY Patil Stadium box office

Other warm-up matches may have free or limited entry – check venue websites for details.

Why These Warm-ups Matter

Beyond practice, these matches are crucial for:

• Final XI Selection: Captains finalize their best combinations before the tournament begins
• Form Assessment: Players stake claims with strong performances
• Pitch Familiarization: Teams adapt to Indian and Sri Lankan conditions
• Strategy Testing: Experimenting with tactics before competition starts
• Injury Management: Testing fitness of recovering players
• Momentum Building: Winning boosts confidence heading into group stages

Key Matches to Watch

India vs South Africa (Feb 4) – Biggest warm-up fixture, testing tournament favorites

Pakistan vs Ireland (Feb 4) – Pakistan’s preparation amid tournament controversy

Afghanistan vs West Indies (Feb 4) – Clash of explosive T20 specialists

Australia vs Netherlands (Feb 5) – Defending champions’ final tune-up

New Zealand vs USA (Feb 5) – Kiwis vs emerging cricket nation

Tournament Context

These warm-ups immediately precede the official T20 World Cup 2026 starting February 7. Teams use these matches to finalize their strategies before entering the group stage battles that will determine championship contenders.

The extensive broadcast coverage demonstrates the global appetite for T20 cricket, with fans from every continent able to watch preparations for the sport’s biggest tournament.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches start? Warm-up matches begin February 2, 2026, with three matches across India. The official tournament starts February 7, 2026.

How many warm-up matches will be played? 16 warm-up matches will be played between February 2-6, 2026, across seven venues in India and Sri Lanka.

Where can I watch warm-up matches for free? ICC.tv and ICC digital platforms offer free streaming in territories without official broadcast partners. Video highlights for all 16 matches available on ICC channels.

Can I buy tickets for warm-up matches? Yes! Tickets for USA vs India A (Feb 2) and India vs South Africa (Feb 4) at DY Patil Stadium available via BookMyShow or venue box office.

Which warm-up matches are being live streamed? 11 of 16 matches will be live streamed globally, including all three Feb 2 matches, India vs South Africa, Pakistan vs Ireland, and others.

What time does the India vs South Africa warm-up start? India vs South Africa starts at 7:00 PM local time on February 4, 2026, at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Don’t Miss the Warm-up Action

With the official schedule confirmed, cricket fans worldwide can now plan their viewing for these crucial preparatory matches. From February 2-6, watch as teams finalize their strategies, test their combinations, and build momentum before the T20 World Cup 2026 officially begins.

Check your local broadcast partners, set reminders for key matches, and get ready for five days of world-class cricket action leading into the tournament proper. The road to T20 World Cup glory starts with these warm-ups – and every match matters!