Black Caps Set for Blockbuster Home Summer Against Cricket Giants

New Zealand is set to host a series of high-profile international cricket teams, including Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies, for a busy home summer in 2025-26. The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) board announced the schedule, which also includes a twin white-ball series for the women's team against South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Black Caps gear up for a busy season ahead of the T20 World Cup © Getty

Series Details

The New Zealand men's team will commence their home summer with a three-match T20I series against Australia, starting on October 1st. Following this, they will face England in a white-ball series consisting of three T20Is (beginning October 18th) and three ODIs (beginning October 26th).

The West Indies will then tour New Zealand for a comprehensive series, starting with five T20Is on November 5th. This will be followed by three ODIs, commencing November 16th, and three Tests, with the first Test starting on December 6th.

White Ferns' Schedule

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

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, starting March 5th.

A five-match T20I series against South Africa will be played as double-headers alongside the men's fixtures from March 15th to 25th. The White Ferns will also play three additional T20Is against South Africa between March 29th and April 4th.

NZC's Statement

"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 Perspective

"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."

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