New Zealand Cricket Announces Packed Home Schedule Against Cricket Giants

New Zealand is set to host a series of high-profile international cricket matches during the 2025-26 home summer. The Blackcaps will welcome Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies for fixtures across various formats. Simultaneously, the White Ferns are preparing for a twin white-ball series against South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The men's team have a packed schedule ahead of the T20 World Cup © Getty

Blackcaps' Schedule

The New Zealand men's team will begin their summer campaign with three T20 Internationals against Australia, commencing on October 1st. Following this, they will face England in a series of three T20Is (starting October 18th) and three ODIs (starting October 26th).

The West Indies will then tour New Zealand, engaging in a comprehensive series that includes five T20Is starting November 5th, followed by three ODIs commencing November 16th, and three Test matches, with the first Test starting on December 6th.

White Ferns' Preparations

The New Zealand women's team, known as the White Ferns, will have a busy home season following their participation in the ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka. Their schedule includes 14 white-ball games starting early next year.

Key Series for White Ferns

• Zimbabwe: The White Ferns will host Zimbabwe for the first time in a three-match T20I series starting on February 25th. This will be followed by a three-match ODI series, which is part of the next ICC Women's Championship 2025-29, beginning on March 5th.
• South Africa: A five-match T20I series against South Africa will be played as double-headers alongside the men's teams of both nations, running concurrently from March 15th to 25th. The White Ferns will also play three ODIs against South Africa between March 29th and April 4th.

NZC's Perspective

"It's great to welcome such a diverse range of opponents for both the Blackcaps and White Ferns, and especially pleasing for NZC to host the first-ever series between Zimbabwe and New Zealand women," said NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink. "Fans will see top-tier cricket across all our major centers, with the doubleheaders against South Africa offering a chance to watch the very best female and male cricketers in the world on display in a unique day-out experience."

He added, "We're thrilled to build this exciting home summer around the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and on the back of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, giving our players a chance to shine on the global stage as well as at home in front of their own fans. We've seen fantastic crowds across the country over the past few seasons and are looking forward to that continuing this summer given the strength of the schedule."

Player's Thoughts

"It feels like a marquee summer," said pace-bowler Kyle Jamieson. "The calibre of opposition means we'll be constantly tested for the duration of the season and that's what you want as a cricketer. It's great to have another three-Test series at home and I'm sure the fans will get in behind the Test team as they have in seasons gone by. It's always special to play in front of a home crowd and we're hoping Kiwis will get out in force to support us once again this summer."

Match Schedule

New Zealand Men's Home Schedule 2025-26

vs Australia

1st T20I, Bay Oval, Wednesday, 1 October 2025, 19:15

2nd T20I, Bay Oval, Friday, 3 October 2025, 19:15

3rd T20I, Bay Oval, Saturday, 4 October 2025, 19:15

vs England

1st T20I, Hagley Oval, Saturday, 18 October 2025, 19:15

2nd T20I, Hagley Oval, Monday, 20 October 2025, 19:15

3rd T20I, Eden Park, Thursday, 23 October 2025, 19:15

1st ODI, Bay Oval, Sunday, 26 October 2025, 14:00

2nd ODI, Seddon Park, Wednesday, 29 October 2025, 14:00

3rd ODI, Sky Stadium, Saturday, 1 November 2025, 14:00

vs West Indies

1st T20I, Eden Park, Wednesday, 5 November 2025, 19:15

2nd T20I, Eden Park, Thursday, 6 November 2025, 19:15

3rd T20I, Saxton Oval, Sunday, 9 November 2025, 13:15

4th T20I, Saxton Oval, Monday, 10 November 2025, 13:15

5th T20I, University of Otago Oval, Thursday, 13 November 2025, 13:15

1st ODI, Hagley Oval, Sunday, 16 November 2025, 14:00

2nd ODI, McLean Park, Wednesday, 19 November 2025, 14:00

3rd ODI, Seddon Park, Saturday, 22 November 2025, 14:00

3-dayer, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Wednesday, 26 - Friday, 28 November 2025, 11:00

1st Test, Hagley Oval, Tuesday 2 - Saturday 6 December 2025, 11:00

2nd Test, Cello Basin Reserve, Wednesday 10 - Sunday 14 December 2025, 11:00

3rd Test, Bay Oval, Thursday 18 - Monday 22 December 2025, 11:00

New Zealand Women's Home Schedule 2025-26

vs Zimbabwe

1st T20I, Seddon Park, Wednesday 25 February 2026, 19:15

2nd T20I, Seddon Park, Friday 27 February 2026, 19:15

3rd T20I, Seddon Park, Sunday, 1 March 2026, 13:15

1st ODI, University of Otago Oval, Thursday, 5 March 2026, 11:00

2nd ODI, University of Otago Oval, Sunday, 8 March 2026, 11:00

3rd ODI, University of Otago Oval, Wednesday, 11 March 2026, 11:00

New Zealand Women and Men vs South Africa - T20I Doubleheaders

1st T20I, Bay Oval, Sunday, 15 March 2026, 14:45 & 19:15

2nd T20I, Seddon Park, Tuesday, 17 March 2026, 14:45 & 19:15

3rd T20I, Eden Park, Friday, 20 March 2026, 14:45 & 19:15

4th T20I, Sky Stadium, Sunday, 22 March 2026, 14:45 & 19:15

5th T20I, Hagley Oval, Wednesday, 25 March 2026, 14:45 & 19:15

vs South Africa

1st ODI, Hagley Oval, Sunday, 29 March 2026, 14:00

2nd ODI, Cello Basin Reserve, Wednesday, 1 April 2026, 11:00

3rd ODI, Cello Basin Reserve, Saturday, 4 April 2026, 11:00