Wellington, 17 August (H.S.): New Zealand’s 2026-27 domestic cricket season will get underway on October 28 with a Ford Trophy fixture. Defending champions Central Districts will begin their campaign against Northern Districts at Saxton Oval in Nelson.
In the opening round of the Ford Trophy, Auckland will face Canterbury, while Wellington will take on Otago.
The 10-round men’s one-day competition will follow a format similar to recent seasons. The first five rounds will be played in October and November, after which the competition will take a break for the Plunket Shield and Super Smash tournaments. The Ford Trophy will resume in February, followed by Finals Weekend.
The women’s domestic season will begin on November 14. Defending champions Northern Districts will begin their title defence in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield against Central Hinds at Fitzherbert Park in Palmerston North.
Matches to Be Played Across 14 Venues
A total of 14 venues will host matches across both the men’s and women’s domestic competitions. Auckland’s Colin Maiden Park will also return to the domestic schedule for the first time since 2023. The venue will host matches again following its redevelopment.
New Zealand Cricket Chief Cricket Operations Officer Catherine Campbell said in an official statement, “Wherever you live in Aotearoa, there’s a good chance you’ll have a Ford Trophy or Hallyburton Johnstone Shield match being played at a venue near you this summer. This year’s schedule gives fans the opportunity to get up close to some of our best domestic talent at some fantastic regional venues.”
She added, “The concept of a combined Finals Weekend has continued to prove successful, and it’s exciting to bring it back to Sello Basin Reserve this summer. The event also aligns well with our international season, ensuring there will be a consistent supply of high-quality cricket during the key months of summer.”
The Plunket Shield schedule will be released on September 2, while the Super Smash schedule is expected to be announced towards the end of September.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
