Black Caps Set for Blockbuster Home Summer Against Cricket Giants

New Zealand is set to welcome a host of international cricket teams, including Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies, for a thrilling home summer in 2025-26. The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) board announced the schedule, which features matches across various formats. The White Ferns, the New Zealand women's team, will also participate in a series of white-ball matches against South Africa and Zimbabwe.

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

Series Highlights

• Australia: The summer kicks off with three T20I matches against Australia, starting October 1st.
• England: Following the series against Australia, New Zealand will face England in three T20Is (starting October 18th) and three ODIs (starting October 26th).
• West Indies: The West Indies tour includes a comprehensive schedule, featuring five T20Is starting November 5th, followed by three ODIs beginning November 16th, and three Tests, the first of which starts on December 6th.

White Ferns' Schedule

The White Ferns are also gearing up for an eventful home season. The team will play 14 white-ball games, commencing early next year.

• Zimbabwe: New Zealand will host Zimbabwe for the first time ever in a three-match T20I series, beginning February 25th. A three-match ODI series, part of the ICC Women's Championship 2025-29, will follow, starting March 5th.
• South Africa: A five-match T20I series against South Africa will be played as double-headers alongside the men's matches from March 15th to 25th. The White Ferns will also play three ODIs against South Africa Women, between March 29th and April 4th.

Official Statements

NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink emphasized the excitement surrounding the schedule: "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." He further added, "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."

Pace-bowler Kyle Jamieson echoed the sentiment, stating, "It feels like a marquee summer. 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."

Full Schedule

Here is the detailed schedule for the upcoming home series:

New Zealand'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