The Black Caps open their biggest home summer ever in just 16 days, and India is the opponent.
New Zealand Cricket has lined up a record 12-match tour by India, plus an unofficial Test series and a women’s series against Bangladesh. This guide covers every fixture the New Zealand cricket team plays from now until the end of 2026. All dates and venues are accurate as of October 6, 2026.
Match times are given in New Zealand time (NZT) where they have been confirmed. Always check the official New Zealand Cricket website for late changes.
New Zealand Cricket Fixtures at a Glance
New Zealand has three main commitments in the final three months of 2026. The men’s team hosts India in all three formats. The New Zealand A side plays India A in red-ball cricket. The White Ferns host Bangladesh Women in December.
| Series | Dates | Format |
| New Zealand A vs India A | Oct 24 to Nov 10 | 3 four-day matches |
| New Zealand vs India | Oct 22 to Dec 1 | 5 T20Is, 5 ODIs, 2 Tests |
| New Zealand Women vs Bangladesh Women | Dec 10 to 23 | 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs |
The India tour is the longest bilateral visit in the history of New Zealand Cricket. It runs for roughly six weeks.
Why the India Tour Is So Big
This is the first Test series between the two sides in New Zealand since 2019. It is also India’s first white-ball tour of the country since 2022.
The New Zealand Government is backing the tour. It marks 100 years of sporting ties between the two nations.
Sky New Zealand also returns as the host broadcaster for New Zealand home internationals. The deal covers six seasons.
Key Storylines to Watch
Several themes will shape the summer. Each one adds weight to the schedule.
The first is the rematch factor. The two teams met in the T20 World Cup final only months ago, so the T20I series feels personal. The Black Caps also beat India 2-1 in an ODI series in India, though India won the T20I series 4-1 on that trip.
The second is the Test drought. India last won a Test series in New Zealand in 2009, and New Zealand has since shown it can beat India even on Indian soil. That 3-0 result in 2024-25 will sit in the minds of both dressing rooms.
The third is World Cup planning. The 2027 ODI World Cup is close, so the five ODIs double as selection trials. Expect rotation of key players during the busy stretch.
Venue Guide for the 2026 Fixtures
New Zealand spreads its games across the country. Each ground has its own character.
Hagley Oval in Christchurch hosts two T20Is and the second Test. The ground has a large grass bank and a reputation for helping seam bowlers.
Eden Park in Auckland has short square boundaries, so T20 and ODI totals can climb fast. Seddon Park in Hamilton is a batting-friendly ground that often produces high scores.
Sky Stadium in Wellington stages a T20I and an ODI, while the Basin Reserve hosts the first Test. Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui closes out the ODI series with two games in three days.
New Zealand A vs India A Schedule
Before the main tour reaches the red-ball stage, the two A teams play three unofficial Tests. These matches start just two days after the first T20I.
| Match | Dates | Venue |
| 1st unofficial Test | Oct 24 to 27 | Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln |
| 2nd unofficial Test | Oct 31 to Nov 3 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| 3rd unofficial Test | Nov 7 to 10 | Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln |
These dates come from reports based on the New Zealand Cricket announcement. Squads had not been officially named when this article was written.
The games matter because they give fringe players a chance to press for Test spots. The last match ends nine days before the first Test.
New Zealand vs India T20I Schedule
The tour opens with five T20Is in five different cities. Every match starts at 8:00 PM NZT.
| Match | Date | Venue |
| 1st T20I | Thursday, Oct 22 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| 2nd T20I | Saturday, Oct 24 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| 3rd T20I | Tuesday, Oct 27 | Sky Stadium, Wellington |
| 4th T20I | Friday, Oct 30 | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 5th T20I | Sunday, Nov 1 | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
Christchurch hosts the first two games under lights. Fans there can see back-to-back matches within three days.
The sides last met in the T20 World Cup final on March 8, 2026, in Ahmedabad. That history adds extra edge to the opening game.
New Zealand vs India ODI Schedule
The five ODIs follow after a short break. These are day-night games, so the action runs into the evening.
| Match | Date | Venue |
| 1st ODI | Wednesday, Nov 4 | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 2nd ODI | Saturday, Nov 7 | Sky Stadium, Wellington |
| 3rd ODI | Tuesday, Nov 10 | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
| 4th ODI | Friday, Nov 13 | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
| 5th ODI | Sunday, Nov 15 | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
The series ends at Bay Oval, which hosts the last two matches. A decider there could draw a big crowd.
Both teams will use this series to settle their line-ups for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Selectors on each side will watch bench players closely.
New Zealand vs India Test Schedule
The two Tests count toward the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. Each match has five scheduled days.
| Match | Dates | Venue |
| 1st Test | Nov 19 to 23 | Basin Reserve, Wellington |
| 2nd Test | Nov 27 to Dec 1 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
The Basin Reserve is known for wind, bounce and a sloping outfield. Hagley Oval usually offers movement for seamers early on.
India has not won a Test series in New Zealand since 2009. New Zealand also beat India 3-0 in India during the 2024-25 season.
Indian captain Shubman Gill will try to end that long drought. The Black Caps will try to protect their strong home record.
New Zealand Women vs Bangladesh Women Schedule
The White Ferns play only one home series this summer. It is a six-match white-ball tour that runs from December 10 to 23.
| Match | Date | Venue |
| 1st T20I | Thursday, Dec 10 | Nelson |
| 2nd T20I | Saturday, Dec 12 | Nelson |
| 3rd T20I | Tuesday, Dec 15 | Wellington |
| 1st ODI | Friday, Dec 18 | Wellington |
| 2nd ODI | Monday, Dec 21 | Mount Maunganui |
| 3rd ODI | Wednesday, Dec 23 | Venue not listed in sources reviewed |
The first T20I in Nelson has a 4:00 PM start. The second begins at 1:00 PM.
The tour is a warm-up for the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka in February 2027. New Zealand planned to visit Australia in early 2027, but that trip has been pushed back.
This is only the second bilateral women’s tour of New Zealand by Bangladesh. The last one was in 2022, when New Zealand won the T20I series 3-0.
Month-by-Month Calendar
A simple calendar makes the busy stretch easier to follow. Here is what each month holds for New Zealand.
In October, the men play two T20Is on the 22nd and 24th, then a third on the 27th and a fourth on the 30th. New Zealand A also start their first unofficial Test on the 24th.
November is the busiest month. It begins with the fifth T20I on the 1st, followed by five ODIs between the 4th and the 15th. The first Test begins on the 19th, and the second begins on the 27th.
December opens with the final day of the second Test on the 1st. After a short break, the White Ferns take over with six games between the 10th and the 23rd.
Fans can follow international cricket in New Zealand almost every week from late October to late December. Few home summers offer such a steady run of matches.
What Comes After 2026
The home summer does not finish when India leaves. Sri Lanka arrives for a full tour in January 2027.
| Match | Date | Venue |
| 1st ODI | Jan 16 | McLean Park, Napier |
| 2nd ODI | Jan 19 | Basin Reserve, Wellington |
| 3rd ODI | Jan 22 | University of Otago Oval, Dunedin |
| 1st T20I | Jan 26 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| 2nd T20I | Jan 29 | Saxton Oval, Nelson |
| 3rd T20I | Jan 31 | Saxton Oval, Nelson |
| 1st Test | Feb 4 to 8 | Bay Oval, Tauranga |
| 2nd Test | Feb 12 to 16 | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
After that, the Black Caps head to Australia for a rare four-Test tour. It will be their longest Test series in Australia in decades.
Tips for Following the Schedule
Most ODIs and Tests start in the morning or early afternoon in New Zealand. That means fans in India and Australia need to plan around time differences.
T20Is start at 8:00 PM NZT. That is a late evening slot for fans in Asia.
Sky New Zealand is the host broadcaster for the home season. Tickets are sold through the New Zealand Cricket website.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the New Zealand cricket team play its next match? The first T20I against India is on October 22, 2026, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
How many matches will India play in New Zealand? India will play 12 matches, made up of five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests.
When are the New Zealand vs India Tests? The first Test starts on November 19 in Wellington, and the second starts on November 27 in Christchurch.
Who does the White Ferns team play in December 2026? The White Ferns host Bangladesh Women for three T20Is and three ODIs from December 10 to 23.
Which team visits New Zealand after India? Sri Lanka tours in January and February 2027 for three ODIs, three T20Is and two Tests.
Conclusion
New Zealand faces a heavy workload in the last quarter of 2026. The India tour alone packs 12 international matches into about six weeks.
The Black Caps will test their depth across all formats, while the White Ferns prepare for a major 2027 event. Cricket in New Zealand will rarely look this busy again.