Auckland, June 3: The New Zealand Cricket Board (NZCB) has announced its schedule for the 2026/27 international home season. The highlight will be India’s historic tour, set to take place from October to December. The Indian men’s team will embark on New Zealand’s largest bilateral cricket tour to date, featuring a total of 12 matches: five T20s, five ODIs, and two Test matches.
The Indian team will be in New Zealand from October 22 to December 1, 2026. This tour is regarded as one of the biggest inbound tours by any foreign team in New Zealand cricket history. Matches will be held in five major cities, with the New Zealand government pledging full support for the tour, honoring nearly 100 years of sporting relations between India and New Zealand.
Glen Creachley, NZCB’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, stated, “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. When it comes to cricket, nothing compares to India. We are set to deliver a tour to the people of New Zealand like never before. This will be a celebration not just of cricket, but of our shared history, culture, and growing friendship.”
The tour will kick off with a T20 series, starting with the first match on October 22 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The second T20 will also be in Christchurch on October 24. The third T20 is scheduled for October 27 in Wellington, followed by the fourth T20 at Eden Park in Auckland on October 30, and the final T20 on November 1 at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Following the T20 series, a five-match ODI series will commence. The first ODI is set for November 4 in Auckland, the second on November 7 in Wellington, and the third on November 10 in Hamilton. The fourth and fifth ODIs will take place on November 13 and 15 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui (Tauranga).
The tour will conclude with a two-match Test series. The first Test will be held from November 19 to 23 at Basin Reserve in Wellington, and the second Test will run from November 27 to December 1 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Overall, the tour will span from October 22 to December 1, 2026.
Sky New Zealand will be the official broadcaster for New Zealand cricket for the next six seasons. Gary Burchat, Head of Sports Content at Sky, remarked that India’s tour is the biggest cricket attraction in the world, and they aim to provide a memorable broadcasting experience.
There is expected to be high demand for tickets. Fans are advised to register on Cricket Nation for the exclusive member pre-sale starting in August.
In recent years, both teams have faced off in several memorable matches, including the 2019 World Cup semi-final, the 2021 World Test Championship final, the 2023 World Cup semi-final, the 2024 Champions Trophy final, and the recent T20 World Cup final. Earlier this year, a limited-overs series was played between the two teams in India.
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