By Victoria Hamilton 
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has confirmed a domestic structure for the 2025–26 season designed to maximize player readiness for international duties. For the second consecutive year, the men’s Ford Trophy will open the summer on October 25, followed by the women’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (HBJ) starting November 15.
The decision to begin with one-day cricket, first trialed last season, breaks from over two decades of tradition. According to NZC Chief Cricket Operations Officer Catherine Campbell, the move has delivered both performance and scheduling benefits.
“Aligning the domestic and international schedules by format was well received by players and coaches last year,” Campbell said. “Starting with one-day cricket allows bowlers to build workloads before transitioning to the demands of four-day cricket.”
This year, the Ford Trophy will overlap with England’s white-ball tour of New Zealand, while the Plunket Shield will lead directly into the West Indies Test series — a sequence Campbell says enhances preparation for the national side.
Balanced Conditions and Player Development
NZC believes the adjusted schedule has also improved the contest between bat and ball across the season. Early pitches often favor bowlers, offering them an opportunity to dominate, while February’s later conditions typically shift in favor of batters.
The women’s calendar benefits from the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup wrapping up just weeks before the HBJ Shield begins. A strong contingent of WHITE FERNS is expected to return to domestic cricket with valuable match fitness and form.
Adding further intrigue is the North v South series before Christmas, offering selectors an additional performance benchmark ahead of the Super Smash.
Finals Weekend and Title Defenses
Wellington’s Cello Basin Reserve will host the season’s one-day finals weekend: the men’s Eliminator on February 20, the women’s Grand Final on February 21, and the men’s Grand Final on February 22.
Fourteen venues will stage matches nationwide, from Queens Park, Invercargill to Cobham Oval, Whangārei. Both the Otago Sparks (women) and Canterbury men are chasing historic third consecutive titles. The Sparks open their defense at home against Auckland Hearts, while Canterbury hosts Otago Volts.
Like last season, the one-day competitions will be split by the first half of the Plunket Shield and the full Super Smash during mid-summer.
Full Plunket Shield fixtures will be released on August 13, followed by the Super Smash schedule on August 18.
Anas Ahmed 
Zainab Shafiq