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NZ20 gets green light from NZ Cricket Board
Sport Nation • March 23rd, 2026 11:00 am
Hagley Oval | Photo: John Davidson/Photosport
One of the more-anticipated decisions in the history of New Zealand cricket has been made.
New Zealand Cricket has released a statement confirming that the proposed NZ20 competition will go ahead.
It means the new competition could be up and running by as soon as January 2027 for men, and late 2027 for women, to replace the current Super Smash model.
In a statement, NZC says “The NZC Board has made an in-principle decision to support the establishment of the new league, subject to the satisfactory resolution of key commercial, structural, and governance matters.
While not a final commitment, the decision allows NZC to focus resources on advancing discussions toward a potential licence, and a binding commercial arrangement with the NZ20 league.”
New Zealand Cricket has released a statement confirming that the proposed NZ20 competition will go ahead.
It means the new competition could be up and running by as soon as January 2027 for men, and late 2027 for women, to replace the current Super Smash model.
In a statement, NZC says “The NZC Board has made an in-principle decision to support the establishment of the new league, subject to the satisfactory resolution of key commercial, structural, and governance matters.
While not a final commitment, the decision allows NZC to focus resources on advancing discussions toward a potential licence, and a binding commercial arrangement with the NZ20 league.”
Heath Mills explains key difference between NZ20 and Super Smash | Sport Nation Mornings
It comes following a week of meetings by the NZC Board, which Sport Nation understands sparked robust discusson, as they mulled over the NZ20 or Big Bash League proposals.
Among the matters discussed, were the findings of a Deloitte review and stakeholder feedback.
Deloitte was tasked with conducting a review examining various options for revitalising T20 cricket in New Zealand, including private ownership, a revamped Super Smash, and entering a New Zealand team into the BBL. Their findings were delivered last week.
The review stopped short of a full recommendation for the future model but presents an analysis of all options presented and being discussed, alongside key stakeholder feedback.
In a statement, NZC Board Chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon said recognising NZ20 as the preferred option was a significant step in a process that carefully weighed the pros and cons of the two main opportunities.
She said the Board thoroughly debated the choice between potential expansion into Australia's BBL competitions and the NZ20 concept, addressing all central issues involved.
“There was extensive discussion on the merits of these proposals, but the Board concluded that now’s the right time to revitalise our 21-year-old Super Smash competition,” she said.
“This followed broad consultation, particularly within our cricket network, and careful consideration of a wide range of information and advice, including the Deloitte Report.
“The next steps include working with NZ20 to agree terms and seeking support from our members.”
“The next steps include working with NZ20 to agree terms and seeking support from our members.”
Don Mackinnon | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Don Mackinnon, the chairman of NZ20's Establishment Committee, has welcomed the decision and told Sport Nation via a provided statement that he feels 'grateful for the confidence shown in the NZ20 vision'.
"This is an important step, but the real work starts now. We look forward to working closely with New Zealand Cricket and stakeholders across the game to shape what NZ20 can become," Mackinnon said.
"We’d like to thank everyone who has supported the NZ20 journey so far - your ideas, energy, and belief have helped us reach this point.
"To cricket fans across New Zealand: we’re excited about what lies ahead. We believe NZ20 is a chance to create something fresh, exciting, and distinctly Kiwi - bringing fans closer to the game, creating new opportunities for players, and adding a modern edge to cricket in this country.
"We look forward to bringing you along with us as we work with New Zealand Cricket and the six Major Associations to turn this concept into reality."
Last month, members of the NZ20 consortium, and representatives of the BBL and Cricket Australia presented separately to the NZC Board.
"We’d like to thank everyone who has supported the NZ20 journey so far - your ideas, energy, and belief have helped us reach this point.
"To cricket fans across New Zealand: we’re excited about what lies ahead. We believe NZ20 is a chance to create something fresh, exciting, and distinctly Kiwi - bringing fans closer to the game, creating new opportunities for players, and adding a modern edge to cricket in this country.
"We look forward to bringing you along with us as we work with New Zealand Cricket and the six Major Associations to turn this concept into reality."
Last month, members of the NZ20 consortium, and representatives of the BBL and Cricket Australia presented separately to the NZC Board.
Colin Munro's honest assessment of the Big Bash vs Super Smash | Mornings
It’s believed the BBL proposal is centred around one New Zealand team, based in Auckland, entering the competition in 2028, while the NZ20 option would see six teams in a new competition through privatisation, as soon as next year.
The Board’s decision comes despite/following a letter, which it asked the New Zealand Cricket Players Association for, stating they’re “overwhelmingly supportive” of establishing the NZ20 competition and will “not support the proposal for one New Zealand team” in the Big Bash competitions.
In a nine-page letter seen by Sport Nation, and dated February 26, the NZCPA - as a signatory and key stakeholder to the current Master Agreement - outlines its stance regarding domestic T20 cricket in New Zealand, which it says has been undertaken over an 18-month period.
An 11-item “strategic comparison” between the two competitions outlines why, as the letter puts it, “the BBL proposal is a vastly inferior option to NZ20” and that the NZCPA “accordingly will not support it.”
Among the reasons for why the Players Association didn’t back the BBL is that it only “benefits a small cohort”, involving “15 per gender” for playing opportunities, and the NZ-based side would be a “minority participant in competition owned by Cricket Australia” which is “locked into CA calendar and governance".
For the BBL to go ahead, stakeholders, including the Players Association would’ve had to sign off on it.
Sport Nation understands the six Major Associations were also against the idea of the Big Bash League due to its limiting playing opportunities.
Tune into Sport Nation for further reaction and analysis throughout today.
