Sri Lanka Cricket announces free tickets for upcoming Test series against India — Here's how to get in

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced free tickets for selected sections for the upcoming two-Test World Test Championship series against India. The first Test will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15 to 19, while the second Test will take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to 27.

The initiative gives cricket fans across Sri Lanka a chance to watch the high-profile series featuring Shubman Gill's India from the stands. Free entry is also expected to attract more supporters and create a lively atmosphere during the two Tests.

The series is part of the ongoing World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle and is expected to draw plenty of attention from fans. Sri Lankan supporters are known for their strong support at home games, and the free tickets could help bring bigger crowds to the stadiums.

Why SLC made entry free for the India Tests — Galle and Colombo

Sri Lanka will hope to receive strong support from the home crowd when they face Shubman Gill's India in the upcoming Test series. The two matches are also important for both teams as they continue their campaigns in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.

Explaining the decision, Sri Lanka Cricket said that fans would be allowed to attend the upcoming Test series without paying for tickets. SLC stated, “Sri Lanka Cricket 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.”

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This is not the first time SLC has offered free entry to cricket fans. During the 2026 T20 World Cup, which was jointly hosted by Sri Lanka and India, fans were allowed to watch several matches for free. This included the tournament opener between Pakistan and the Netherlands, as well as Zimbabwe's memorable win over Australia.

Full schedule: Dates, venues and match timings

India's tour of Sri Lanka in 2026 will begin with a four-day warm-up match in Colombo from August 7 to 10. The practice game will give the Indian team a chance to prepare for the local conditions before the start of the two-match Test series.

The first Test will be played at the Galle International Stadium from August 15 to 19. The second and final Test will take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo from August 23 to 27. Both Test matches will begin at 10:00 AM IST.

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The series will be played at two well-known cricket venues in Sri Lanka. Galle is known for its spin-friendly conditions, especially as Test matches progress. Spinners are expected to play an important role in the first Test, while both teams will need to adapt quickly to the conditions.

Which gates to use — Entry details for Galle and Colombo

Sri Lanka Cricket has designated specific gates for fans attending the India vs Sri Lanka Test series. For the first Test in Galle, spectators can enter through Gate No. 4. For the second Test at the SSC in Colombo, free entry will be available through Gates 3, 4, 5, and 7. The initiative aims to encourage young cricket fans and give families a chance to enjoy Test cricket together.

SLC has offered free admission for international matches on several occasions in the past. Previous Test series against New Zealand, Ireland, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan also had free entry for spectators. Similar arrangements were made for women's international matches and during the 2026 T20 World Cup, when fans could watch selected matches without buying tickets.

The latest decision comes as Sri Lanka continues to face challenges in attracting large crowds to cricket stadiums. The ongoing Lanka Premier League has also seen low attendance, with organisers switching from paid tickets to free entry to increase turnout. With India visiting for a two-Test WTC series, SLC will hope the free admission brings more fans to the stands in Galle and Colombo.