Ring the bell, Super Smash is back at Pukekura Park!

Today’s national reveal of the 2026/27 Super Smash schedule brings fantastic news for New Plymouth supporters of the Central Hinds and Stags who will host two T20 doubleheader events at the venue this January.

The action also returns to Palmerston North (27 December), Nelson (10 January) and Napier (21 January) this summer, while the return to Taranaki brings extra excitement with the T20 showcase back in front of the famous terraces for the first time since December 2023.

The Stags and Hinds will play the Canterbury Kings and Magicians there straight after New Year’s on Saturday, 2 January 2027, and Central Districts Cricket is already encouraging people to act fast when tickets go on sale next month.

“We know how much this means to our New Plymouth community who have always been massive supporters of the Stags and Hinds at these events over the holiday period,” said Central Districts Cricket CEO, Lance Hamilton.

“The scheduling is in the peak of the traditional holiday season, and the enduring Central-Canterbury rivalry is never a contest to be missed.

“Combined with the excitement of having Super Smash cricket back at Pukekura Park, there is a real possibility that this match could sell out online prior — and what an atmosphere that would be.”

 

 

The Stags and Hinds will be back one more time at Pukekura Park on Sunday, 17 January 2027, this time to host Otago’s Volts and Sparks — a rare chance to see superstar Suzie Bates in Taranaki.

The record-breaker retired from her decorated WHITE FERNS career earlier this year, but is hoping to help her southern side lift some national silverware this season as she commits to one more whirl around the domestic traps.

None of Central’s five home doubleheader events will be televised this season — a key factor that allowed CD to bring the T20 game back to Taranaki.

 

 

That’s one more reason to be sure to secure tickets early, since the only alternative to the primo views at the park will be a fixed-camera, no frills livestream as currently deployed for Plunket Shield, Hallyburton Johnstone Shield and Ford Trophy matches.

NZC’s intention to decrease the number of this season’s televised Super Smash matchdays was signalled over winter. 

Good news for ardent supporters is that three of their teams’ away doubleheaders — in Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch — will be on the box, live and free to air on TVNZ+ and TVNZ Duke.

But the timing and logistics of the home summer international schedule ultimately ruled out televising home Super Smash fixtures this season.

 

 

“Particularly with CD hosting the BLACKCAPS and Sri Lanka at McLean Park on 16 January, the windows required around that fixture precluded slotting in a Super Smash event in Napier ahead of it, while broadcast was unavailable for the 21 January Super Smash round which we're scheduled to host in Napier,” said Hamilton.

“Clearly a lot of things are different this season for the Super Smash overall, but we’ve landed in a place that is exciting for our Central supporters.

“We're thrilled to be able to bring Super Smash back to Pukekura Park, and also to have secured the family friendly 27 December date for Palmerston North that has been a huge hit with our Manawatū supporters in recent years. 

“It was also important to us to secure fixtures for our Hawke’s Bay and Nelson fans, and I’d like to thank all of our regional partners who have worked with us to lock in these entertaining events.”

 

 

In other changes to this year’s Super Smash, the competition reverts to playing traditional ‘rounds’ — three doubleheaders scheduled on the same day at various locations around the country (other than the final round, when Wellington and Auckland will play a day later than the other four teams).

The Finals will all be televised from Eden Park’s Kennards Hire Community Oval, with the men’s and women’s Elimination (2v3) Finals inked in for Thursday, 28 January 2027; and the Grand Finals on Saturday, 30 January 2027 — the start of Auckland’s Anniversary long weekend.

For the Stags and Hinds teams, the determination to be there will start afresh, after both teams narrowly missed out on last year’s Finals after a heart-breaking last away round in Auckland.

The Stags — current Ford Trophy champions, have a strong recent record in all formats, and last won the Super Smash just two years ago in Wellington.

The Hinds meanwhile are no strangers to a Grand Final at Eden Park, having lost to Melie Kerr’s Wellington Blaze by just a single run in 2024 the last time Auckland Cricket Association hosted the Finals. 

 

 

Last summer, Hinds captain Hannah Rowe became the first to chalk up 100 T20 caps for her team and the inspirational allrounder is fired up to add the Super Smash title to her resumé.

The Hinds have won it only once, before her time, back in the summer of 2010 when Aimee Watkins’ side won both the T20 and One-Day national titles.

It was a heck of a summer for Central whose Stags also won the men’s T20 crown that year.

The Stags’ class of 2027 will be raring to go again under Taranaki-based captain Tom Bruce and new head coach Heinrich Malan who combined to win the 2019 title during Malan’s previous tenure with the team.

Bruce and Dane Cleaver have also played more than 100 T20s for Central.

Tickets will go on sale in November. To be first to hear about the latest Super Smash news, ticket and merch offers, make sure you’re subscribed (free) to Central Districts Cricket Nation

 

2026/27 SCHEDULE

 

Sun 27 DEC • Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North v Blaze/Firebirds • 12pm/3.45pm

Wed 30 DEC • Seddon Park, Hamilton v Northern Brave (TV, lights) • 2pm/5.45pm

Sat 2 JAN • Pukekura Park, New Plymouth v Magicians/Kings • 12pm/3.45pm

Mon 4 JAN • Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland v Hearts/Aces • 12.40pm/4.25pm

Thu 7 JAN • Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington v Blaze/Firebirds (TV) • 12.30pm/4.15pm

Sun 10 JAN • Saxton Oval, Nelson v Hearts/Aces • 12pm/3.45pm

Thu 14 JAN • Hagley Oval, Christchurch v Magicians/Kings (TV, lights) • 2pm/5.45pm

Sun 17 JAN • Pukekura Park, New Plymouth v Sparks/Volts • 12pm/3.45pm

Thu 21 JAN • McLean Park, Napier v Northern Brave • 12.45pm/4.30pm

Sun 24 JAN • Uni Oval, Dunedin v Sparks/Volts • 12pm/4pm

Thu 28 JAN • Elimination Finals • Auckland • 12.30pm/4.15pm

Sat 30 JAN • Grand Finals • Auckland • 12.30pm/4.15pm

 

Matches not televised will be live-scored and

livestreamed free here at www.cdcricket.co.nz

 

Article added: Monday 12 October 2026