The governing body for cricket in New Zealand, the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has inked a six-year broadcast agreement with the New Zealand pay-TV heavyweight, Sky.
All bilateral international cricket in the country, played by the country’s Black Caps (men’s) and White Ferns (women’s) national teams, between the 2026-27 and 2031-32 seasons, will be aired by the network. However, the deal excludes the local Super Smash Twenty20 club events, which may remain free to air in the future cycle.
This pact marks NZC’s return to the Sky fold, after the two sides’ previous agreement terminated in early 2020. The Spark Sport service then had the rights for three years before shutting down in mid-2023 and transferring them to TVNZ, a public-sector free-to-air broadcaster.
TVNZ will retain rights for the 2025-26 season, but they will thereafter be transferred back to Sky.
During the 2025-26 home cricket season, New Zealand’s men’s side is slated to welcome West Indies for a multi-format series, while Australia and England will also make brief tours. The 2026-27 season, meanwhile, is scheduled to include a home series against India and Sri Lanka.
NZC Chief Executive, Scott Weenink, said, “We’re delighted to form this new partnership with Sky and to be able to ensure the best possible access for Kiwi-based fans. We look forward to working with Sky to continue to deliver outstanding production values and cutting-edge technology for the benefit of all supporters. We have an amazing relationship with TVNZ and we’re looking forward to continuing and developing that relationship over the balance of our agreement, and potentially after that in respect of free-to-air T20Is and the Dream11 Super Smash.”
Sky Chief Executive, Sophie Moloney, said, “Sport fans across New Zealand love their cricket, and we are delighted to be bringing BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS home internationals back to Sky and our valued customers. Sky and NZC are committed to delivering BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS home internationals to New Zealanders in ways that work for them, including a free-to-air component. Details of the broadcast arrangements will be announced closer to start of the 2026-27 season.”