Black Caps Prepare for Blockbuster Home Series Against Cricket Powerhouses

New Zealand's men's cricket team is set to have a busy home summer in 2025-26, hosting Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies in a series of matches across various formats. The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced the schedule which also includes a twin white-ball series for the women's team against South Africa and Zimbabwe.

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

Men's Schedule Highlights

• Australia: The summer begins with a three-match T20I series against Australia, starting on October 1st.
• England: Following the series against Australia, England will arrive for a white-ball series consisting of three T20Is (starting October 18th) and three ODIs (starting October 26th).
• West Indies: The West Indies will then tour New Zealand for a multi-format series, beginning with five T20Is on November 5th, followed by three ODIs (starting November 16th), and three Tests, with the first Test commencing on December 6th.

Women's Schedule Focuses on White-Ball Cricket

The White Ferns, after participating in the ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka, will play 14 white-ball games at home, starting early next year.

• Zimbabwe: New Zealand will host Zimbabwe for the first time in a three-match T20I series starting February 25th, followed by a three-match ODI series (part of the next ICC Women's Championship 2025-29) from 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. Additionally, three T20Is against South Africa Women are scheduled between March 29th and April 4th.

Official Statements

NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink expressed his excitement about the diverse range of opponents and the opportunity to host Zimbabwe's women's team for the first time. He also highlighted the unique experience of the double-headers against South Africa.

"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," he added.

Pace-bowler Kyle Jamieson echoed the sentiment, calling it a "marquee summer" and emphasizing the constant challenge posed by the high-caliber opposition.

Match Schedule:

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