West Indies to host Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan in 2026 home season – West Indies to Host Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Pakistan in Exciting 2026 Home Season
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has officially announced a packed and exciting home season for the West Indies Men’s team in 2026, featuring high-profile tours from Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pakistan. This extensive schedule promises a feast of cricket for fans across the Caribbean, encompassing crucial ICC World Test Championship matches alongside captivating white-ball encounters.
The 2026 season is poised to ignite the passion of cricket enthusiasts, with the tours of Sri Lanka and Pakistan including vital Test matches that will contribute to the ongoing 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle. The West Indies team, currently placed ninth in the standings after a challenging start, will be looking to leverage home advantage to climb the championship ladder.
Sri Lanka Tour
The action kicks off with Sri Lanka’s visit, featuring a mix of white-ball and red-ball cricket. Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, will be the exclusive venue for the limited-overs leg of the tour, hosting both One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) between June 3 and June 14. Following the explosive white-ball contests, the focus will shift to the traditional format, with two Test matches scheduled at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, commencing on June 25 and July 3 respectively. These Test encounters are particularly significant as they form part of the ICC World Test Championship.
Sri Lanka Tour Fixtures:
- June 3 – 1st ODI at Sabina Park, Jamaica
- June 6 – 2nd ODI at Sabina Park, Jamaica
- June 9 – 3rd ODI at Sabina Park, Jamaica
- June 11 – 1st T20I at Sabina Park, Jamaica
- June 13 – 2nd T20I at Sabina Park, Jamaica
- June 14 – 3rd T20I at Sabina Park, Jamaica
- June 25-29 – 1st Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua & Barbuda
- July 3-7 – 2nd Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua & Barbuda
New Zealand Tour
Next up, New Zealand will visit for a five-match ODI series, set to run from July 11 to July 21. This white-ball only tour will see matches split between two iconic Caribbean venues. The first three ODIs will be played at Guyana’s National Stadium, a venue known for its vibrant atmosphere. The series will then move to the historic Kensington Oval in Barbados for the final two matches, promising a captivating conclusion to the series.
Initially, all five ODIs against New Zealand were slated for Guyana. However, logistical challenges necessitated a change in the schedule. Cricket West Indies engaged in thorough discussions with the government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to address these issues. A collaborative arrangement was subsequently proposed by the governments of Guyana and Barbados, suggesting a sharing of the matches and associated operational costs between the two territories. This pragmatic solution was approved by Cricket West Indies, following consultation with New Zealand Cricket, reaffirming CWI’s dedication to delivering a successful and memorable series for players, fans, and the wider Caribbean community.
New Zealand Tour Fixtures:
- July 11 – 1st ODI at Guyana National Stadium, Guyana
- July 13 – 2nd ODI at Guyana National Stadium, Guyana
- July 16 – 3rd ODI at Guyana National Stadium, Guyana
- July 19 – 4th ODI at Kensington Oval, Barbados
- July 21 – 5th ODI at Kensington Oval, Barbados
Pakistan Tour
The final leg of the home season will see Pakistan arrive for a two-Test series, contested between July 25 and August 6. Both Test matches will be hosted in Trinidad & Tobago, but at different, equally significant venues. The first Test is scheduled from July 25 to 29 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, a modern facility named after the legendary West Indian batsman. The series will then conclude with the second Test from August 2 to 6 at the historic Queen’s Park Oval, a venue steeped in cricketing tradition. These two Test matches against Pakistan also hold crucial significance for the ICC World Test Championship standings.
Pakistan Tour Fixtures:
- July 25-29 – 1st Test at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
- August 2-6 – 2nd Test at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago
‘WI OUTSIDE!’: A Celebration of Caribbean Cricket
The entire 2026 home season is being promoted under the vibrant banner of ‘WI OUTSIDE!’ This initiative aims to capture the unique spirit and infectious energy that is synonymous with cricket in the Caribbean. According to CWI leadership, West Indies cricket transcends the boundaries of the field; it is deeply intertwined with the people, their unwavering passion, rich culture, immense pride, and the unparalleled energy that electrifies the atmosphere when fans rally behind the maroon. ‘WI OUTSIDE!’ serves as a powerful celebration of this intrinsic spirit, extending an open invitation to every cricket fan and proud West Indian to come out, fill the stands, wave their flags, and collectively create the kind of electric atmosphere that makes West Indies cricket truly special. The ambition for this summer is to cultivate a region-wide movement, ensuring that fans are fully engaged with the team and integral to the entire experience, every step of the way.
With a comprehensive schedule featuring three top international teams and a renewed focus on fan engagement through the ‘WI OUTSIDE!’ campaign, the 2026 home season promises to be an unforgettable chapter in West Indies cricket. Fans are encouraged to mark their calendars and prepare to witness thrilling cricketing action and celebrate the sport they love with unparalleled Caribbean flair.
