Sri Lanka Cricket announces free entry for India Test series

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on August 7, 2026, that public admission to the upcoming two-match Test series against India will be free of charge. The decision covers both venues and gives supporters across the country the opportunity to attend international Test cricket without having to purchase a ticket.

Popular journalist Shayan Acharya also confirmed the development via an X post from his official handle.

“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to announce that public admission to the upcoming Test Series between Sri Lanka and India will be free of charge, thus providing cricket fans with an excellent opportunity to witness world-class Test cricket,” an official SLC statement read.

Gate details for each venue

The first Test is scheduled from August 15 to 19 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. The second Test runs from August 23 to 27 at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo. SLC confirmed the fixtures for the tour in July 2026.

Designated free-entry gates have been specified at each ground. At Galle, fans may enter through Gate No. 4. At the SSC in Colombo, Gates 3, 4, 5, and 7 will be open for free public admission.

SLC also extended a broad invitation through its statement.

“Sri Lanka Cricket warmly invites cricket enthusiasts, young aspiring cricketers, families, and sports fans from across the country to take advantage of this initiative and experience the excitement of international Test cricket between Sri Lanka and India.”

Both matches form part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle. The series is a key fixture in the ongoing championship, with India touring Sri Lanka for two Tests in August 2026.

The BCCI announced India’s squad for the tour on July 28, 2026. Jasprit Bumrah was subsequently ruled out of the series on August 3 due to a knee injury and was replaced by Auqib Nabi in the squad.

Series and squad context

Ahead of the Test series, a warm-up tour match between SLC XI and India is being played at the NCC ground in Colombo from August 7 to 9. The match, in which SLC XI chose to bat, was on Day 1 at the time of the free-entry announcement. The first Test at Galle gets underway on August 15.