T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-Up Matches — Full Schedule (Feb 2–6, 2026)

 T20 World Cup 2026 Warm-Up Matches — Full Schedule (Feb 2–6, 2026)

Before the main ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 starts on 7 February 2026, teams will play a series of 16 warm-up matches to fine-tune their combinations and strategies. These games are crucial practice opportunities ahead of the marquee tournament.

📍 2 February 2026 (Tuesday)

📍 3 February 2026 (Wednesday)

📍 4 February 2026 (Thursday)

📍 5 February 2026 (Friday)

📍 6 February 2026 (Saturday)

2026 T20 World Cup Warm‑Up Venues & Pitch Reports

  Dr DY Patil Stadium – Navi Mumbai (India)

Pitch Type: Batting‑friendly & fast outfield
Conditions:

• Typically offers true bounce and quick outfield, ideal for stroke play.

• Suited to power‑hitters and quick scoring earlier in the innings.

• Early seam movement may help pacers, but majority advantage is usually with batters.
  Best for: Big totals, aggressive batting lineups and death overs practice.
  Why it matters: Teams use this venue to sharpen their batting and death bowling skills before the main event.

   BCCI Centre of Excellence – Bengaluru (India)

Pitch Type: Balanced surface
Conditions:

• Known for consistent bounce that doesn’t overly assist either batters or bowlers.

• Fast bowlers can get some movement early, while batters enjoy reliable bounce for controlled stroke play.

• Useful for testing all‑round combinations.
  Best for: Balanced practice — both batting rhythm and bowling variations.
  Why it matters: A good prep ground to try different lineups in match conditions.

  M.A. Chidambaram Stadium – Chennai (India)

Pitch Type: Spin‑friendly but competitive
Conditions:

• Traditionally offers turn and grip, especially later in the innings.

• Batters may find scoring more difficult if the pitch breaks down.

• Useful for teams wanting to test spin bowling plans and middle‑over strategies.
  Best for: Spin attacks and skillful batting under tougher conditions.
  Why it matters: Chennai presents conditions that many teams are likely to face later in the main tournament.

 R. Premadasa Stadium – Colombo (Sri Lanka)

Pitch Type: Slower & tactical
Conditions:

• Offers slow pace and lower bounce compared to Indian venues.

• Spin and tactical bowling often come into play as batters have to time carefully.

• Outfield conditions can be slower than India, meaning singles and twos matter.
  Best for: Teams wanting to practice spin and slower bowling variations.
  Why it matters: Conditions here mimic what many teams will face during group games in Sri Lanka.

 SSC Cricket Ground & Colombo Cricket Club Ground – Colombo (Sri Lanka)

Pitch Type: Slow & testing conditions
Conditions:

• These traditional grounds in Colombo are known for slower surfaces.

• Helps teams assess adaptability and patience in batting.

• Spinners and clever change‑of‑pace bowlers can be very effective here.
  Best for: Strategy refinement and spin practice.
  Why it matters: These venues help teams adjust to Sri Lankan conditions before competitive matches.

  Summary Table: Pitch Quick‑Guide

 How Teams Use These Pitches Before the Main Event

✔️ Batting Practice: Teams at DY Patil and Bengaluru sharpen power hitting, death bowling tactics, and net batsmen.
✔️ Spin Testing: Chennai and Colombo grounds give teams a chance to fine‑tune spin combinations and middle‑over strategies.
✔️ Match Simulation: Playing on diverse surfaces helps teams adapt quickly when the main tournament starts on 7 February 2026.

 Final Thought

The warm‑up venues for the 2026 T20 World Cup offer a mix of batting‑friendly, balanced, spin‑helping and slow conditions — giving teams a comprehensive rehearsal before the pressure of tournament cricket begins.

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  Teams Participating in Warm-Up Matches

Warm-up fixtures include a mix of full national sides, A teams, and associate representatives preparing for the main World Cup. Prominent teams in these matches are:
👉 India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland, Netherlands, USA, Zimbabwe, Scotland, Afghanistan, Oman, Nepal, Canada, Italy, UAE, Sri Lanka A, India A and others.

   Highlight Matches for Fans

• ⚡ India vs South Africa — High-profile clash at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai (4 Feb).

• 🏏 India A vs USA — Opportunity to see emerging Indian stars (2 & 6 Feb).

• 🇦🇫 Afghanistan vs West Indies — Competitive match in Bengaluru (4 Feb).

   How to Watch / Streaming Info

• India: Matches like India vs South Africa will be broadcast live on Star Sports and streamed on Jio Hotstar.

• Many warm-up games will stream on ICC.tv and digital partners.

• International broadcasters will stream in various regions across Sky Sports, Willow, AF Sports, TSM, Myco and other platforms.

   Summary

✔️ 16 warm-up matches from 2–6 Feb 2026 before the T20 World Cup begins on 7 Feb.
✔️ Played across India and Sri Lanka in major cricket stadiums.
✔️ Helps teams fine-tune lineups, test conditions and combinations.