Colombo: In a major initiative aimed at boosting stadium attendance for red-ball cricket, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced free public admission for the upcoming two-match Test series against India.

The two-match series, which forms a vital part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 cycle, is scheduled to commence on 15 August 2026. The opening Test will be hosted at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from 15 to 19 August, whilst the second Test will take place at the historic Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo from 23 to 27 August.

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In an official release, the governing body confirmed: “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.” The board added that the initiative warmly invites families, young aspiring cricketers, and sports enthusiasts from across the country to experience the atmosphere of international Test cricket.

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To facilitate smooth crowd movement, SLC has designated specific access points across both venues. Fans attending the first Test in Galle will be granted free admission through Gate 4, while those watching the Colombo fixture at the SSC can enter via Gates 3, 4, 5, and 7.

The decision addresses a long-standing challenge across the subcontinent, where Test matches outside major traditional cricket centres have struggled to generate substantial ticket sales. Even previous high-profile tours in Sri Lanka have often seen matches played in front of sparsely filled stands.

The series holds substantial competitive value for both teams. India currently sit fifth in the World Test Championship standings, with Sri Lanka in sixth, meaning both sides require positive results to boost their prospects of reaching the WTC final.