Cricket fans across Aotearoa can look forward to a busy domestic summer, with the 2026-27 Ford Trophy and Hallyburton Johnstone Shield schedules now announced. Matches will be played across 14 grounds, from Whangarei’s Cobham Oval to Invercargill’s Queen’s Park. Both one-day competitions will finish with a combined Finals Weekend at Wellington’s Cello Basin Reserve from February 19 to 21, 2027. The schedule will take domestic cricket to fans in different parts of the country.
Auckland’s Colin Maiden Park will return to the domestic cricket venues for the first time since 2023 after its extensive redevelopment. The ground is expected to host Auckland Aces and Hearts home fixtures from early 2027. Its return gives Auckland another venue for domestic cricket after several years away from the schedule. The season will also include some of New Zealand’s well-known regional grounds, giving players the chance to play in different conditions.
The women’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield will begin on November 14, with defending champions Northern Districts Women travelling to Palmerston North to face Central Hinds at Fitzherbert Park. Northern Districts won their first domestic title last summer and will now look to defend their crown. Former White Ferns captain Amy Satterthwaitewill also begin her time as Canterbury Magicians head coach. Canterbury will face Otago Sparks at Hagley Oval in one of the opening fixtures.
Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 2026-27 schedule
Round 1 — Saturday, November 14
Central Hinds vs Auckland Hearts — McLean Park, Napier
Canterbury Magicians vs Northern Districts — Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Otago Sparks vs Wellington Blaze — University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
Round 2 — Sunday, November 15
Central Hinds vs Auckland Hearts — McLean Park, Napier
Canterbury Magicians vs Northern Districts — Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Otago Sparks vs Wellington Blaze — University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
Round 3 — Saturday, November 28
Auckland Hearts vs Canterbury Magicians — Auckland
Wellington Blaze vs Central Hinds — Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
Otago Sparks vs Northern Districts — University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
Round 4 — Sunday, November 29
Auckland Hearts vs Canterbury Magicians — Auckland
Wellington Blaze vs Central Hinds — Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
Otago Sparks vs Northern Districts — University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
Round 5 — Saturday, December 12
Northern Districts vs Wellington Blaze — Seddon Park, Hamilton
Central Hinds vs Canterbury Magicians — Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North
Otago Sparks vs Auckland Hearts — Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown
Round 6 — Sunday, December 13
Northern Districts vs Wellington Blaze — Seddon Park, Hamilton
Central Hinds vs Canterbury Magicians — Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North
Otago Sparks vs Auckland Hearts — Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown
Round 7 — Saturday, February 6
Central Hinds vs Auckland Hearts — McLean Park, Napier
Canterbury Magicians vs Northern Districts — Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Otago Sparks vs Wellington Blaze — University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
Round 8 — Sunday, February 7
Central Hinds vs Auckland Hearts — McLean Park, Napier
Canterbury Magicians vs Northern Districts — Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Otago Sparks vs Wellington Blaze — University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
Round 9 — Saturday, February 13
Auckland Hearts vs Canterbury Magicians — Auckland
Wellington Blaze vs Central Hinds — Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
Otago Sparks vs Northern Districts — University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
Round 10 — Sunday, February 14
Auckland Hearts vs Canterbury Magicians — Auckland
Wellington Blaze vs Central Hinds — Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
Otago Sparks vs Northern Districts — University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
Grand Final — Saturday, February 20
Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
The opening Ford Trophy fixtures will also bring several important matches for fans to follow. Last year’s beaten finalists Canterbury will travel to Auckland to face the Aces at Kennards Hire Community Oval. Wellington Firebirds will host Otago Volts at the Cello Basin Reserve to complete the opening group of Ford Trophy fixtures. The competition will give domestic players another chance to test themselves in one-day cricket.
The 2026-27 season will also give fans a chance to watch domestic cricket at some of New Zealand’s more special regional grounds. These include Pukekura Park in New Plymouth, Saxton Oval in Nelson and Sir John Davies Oval in Queenstown. Other venues include Cobham Oval, Bay Oval, Seddon Park, McLean Park, Fitzherbert Park, Cello Basin Reserve, Hagley Oval, University of Otago Oval and Queen’s Park. Together, the venues will help take domestic cricket across the country.
NZC Chief Cricket Operations Officer Catherine Campbell said the schedule would make domestic cricket easier for fans to watch across the country. “No matter where you live in Aotearoa, there’s a good chance a Ford Trophy or Hallyburton Johnstone Shield match is coming to a ground near you this summer,” said Campbell. She added, “This year’s schedule once again gives fans the chance to watch our best domestic talent up close at some fantastic regional venues.”
Campbell also welcomed the return of the combined Finals Weekend at the Cello Basin Reserve. “The combined Finals Weekend concept continues to be a success and it’s exciting to be bringing it back to the Cello Basin Reserve this summer.” She added, “This schedule also dovetails nicely with our international summer, meaning there’s top-class cricket on offer right through the peak summer cricket months.” The Finals Weekend will bring the two one-day competitions together in Wellington.
All Ford Trophy and Hallyburton Johnstone Shield matches will be live scored at nzc.nz and live streamed on the NZC YouTube channel. The Plunket Shield schedule will be announced on Tuesday, September 1, while the Super Smash schedule will be revealed in late September. With matches across 14 grounds, a returning Colin Maiden Park and a combined Finals Weekend in Wellington, the 2026-27 domestic season has plenty in store for New Zealand cricket fans.
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