The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm-Up matches schedule for 2026 is out on Monday, 26 January 2026, and it will be played from 2 February to 6 February 2026.
It will be the final chance for all men’s teams to prepare for the T20I World Cup 2026, which starts on February 7, 2026. India’s main team will play only one warm-up match at the T20I World Cup, with the other matches played by the India A team.
What Are ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm-up Matches
The T20 World Cup warm-up matches are non-competitive games played just before the main tournament begins. However, the results of the matches do not reflect the points table or ICC points; they are played to help the team adjust to the venues and find their perfect XI for the main matches of the major event.
In the Warm-Up matches, any player from the squad can participate, and no playing XI is announced after the toss, as all 15 squad players are allowed to play at any time. Some big teams, like India and Australia, use their Team A in some warm-up matches, which is great for smaller teams like Zimbabwe, USA, Namibia, and others, who get a chance to play against the top teams to improve.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm-up Matches 2026 Full Fixtures
The timing and the venues of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm-up Matches 2026 are in the table below.
| Date | Time IST | Match | Venue |
| 02 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | Afghanistan vs Scotland | BCCI Centre of Excellence 1 Bengaluru |
| 02 Feb 2026 | 05:00 PM | USA vs India A | Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| 02 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | Canada vs Italy | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 03 Feb 2026 | 01:00 PM | Oman vs Sri Lanka A | Colombo Cricket Club Ground, Colombo |
| 03 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | Netherlands vs Zimbabwe | R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| 03 Feb 2026 | 05:00 PM | Nepal vs United Arab Emirates | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 04 Feb 2026 | 01:00 PM | Scotland vs Namibia | BCCI Centre of Excellence 2 Bengaluru |
| 04 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | Afghanistan vs West Indies | BCCI Centre of Excellence 1 Bengaluru |
| 04 Feb 2026 | 05:00 PM | Pakistan vs Ireland | Sinhalese Sports Club Colombo |
| 04 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | India vs South Africa | Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| 05 Feb 2026 | 11:00 AM | Zimbabwe vs Oman | Colombo Cricket Club Ground, Colombo |
| 05 Feb 2026 | 01:00 PM | Nepal vs Canada | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 05 Feb 2026 | 05:00 PM | Australia vs Netherlands | R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| 05 Feb 2026 | 07:00 PM | New Zealand vs USA | Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| 06 Feb 2026 | 03:00 PM | Italy vs United Arab Emirates | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 06 Feb 2026 | 05:00 PM | Namibia vs India A | BCCI Centre of Excellence 1 Bengaluru |
Indian Cricket Team ICC T20 World Cup Warm-Up Matches Fixtures 2026
India will play with two teams in the ICC T20 World Cup Warm-Up matches: India A and the main team. The main team will play just one match against South Africa on 4 February 2026 at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, starting at 7:00 PM IST. India A will play matches against Namibia and the USA.
India vs South Africa ICC T20 World Cup Warm-Up match: Why Only One Match for the Main Team?
The India vs South Africa ICC T20 World Cup warm-up match has sparked discussion among fans because India’s main team is scheduled to play only one official warm-up game before the tournament. At first glance, this looks unusual, especially when many teams opt for multiple practice matches ahead of a global event.
However, the plan becomes much clearer when you factor in one important detail. India A will play two additional warm-up matches, ensuring that India’s overall preparation remains strong and well-balanced ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Where To Watch India vs South Africa T20 World Cup Warm-Up Match?
India vs South Africa T20 World Cup Warm-Up Matches will be played at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, and the match will start at 7:00 PM. It will be shown on JioHotstar.
Warm-up Match Venues for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup warm-up matches 2026 will be played in India and Sri Lanka, with venues offering varied pitch conditions for proper tournament preparation.
Bengaluru venues at the BCCI Centre of Excellence provide balanced pitches with good bounce, helping both batters and bowlers.
- Chennai at the MA Chidambaram Stadium offers spin-friendly conditions, ideal for testing middle-over strategies.
- Navi Mumbai at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy is known for batting-friendly pitches and fast outfields.
- Colombo venues like R Premadasa Stadium and Sinhalese Sports Club feature slower pitches and humid weather, helping teams adapt to tough playing conditions.
Can You Watch and Buy T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-up Matches Live Inside the Stadium and on JioHotstar?
Most warm-up games are open to the public, and spectators are allowed to enter the venues to enjoy live cricket before the main tournament begins.
For many matches, especially those not involving major teams, entry may be free, or tickets may be available at very low prices. High-profile warm-up matches, such as India vs South Africa, are expected to have ticketed entry due to higher demand and security arrangements.
Tickets will be sold through official online platforms and stadium counters once the organizers of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup announce details. Fans are advised to check official updates regularly and book early for popular fixtures.
FAQs
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup warm-up matches 2026 will be played from 2 February to 6 February 2026. These matches will take place just before the main tournament starts on 7 February 2026.
Yes, fans can watch T20 World Cup warm-up matches live in the stadium. Many matches offer free entry or low ticket prices, making them a great option for cricket fans before the main tournament begins.
A. India is playing only one warm-up match with the main team to manage player workload and avoid injuries. At the same time, India A will play two additional warm-up matches to keep reserve players match-ready.