2026 ANZ Premiership – Round 7 Previews
Round 7 of the 2026 ANZ Premiership sees finals pressure beginning to build, with teams entering the final month of the season.
The VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix remain top of the ladder after extending their home winning streak to 10 matches last weekend, while the Ascot Park Hotel Steel continue their strong run of form with five consecutive victories.
Steel v Magic
Saturday 23 May, 4pm at Edgar Centre, Dunedin
The Ascot Park Hotel Steel return home looking to continue their winning streak when they host the Avis Magic in Dunedin.
The Steel have won 18 of 27 ANZ Premiership meetings between the teams and defeated the Magic 61-48 when the sides met earlier this season in Tauranga.
The Magic remain searching for their first win of the season after a difficult outing against the Tactix in Round 6.
Key points:
- The Steel are on a five-match winning streak
- The Magic remain winless after six rounds
- The Steel have lost just one quarter across their past four matches
- The Magic have won just two quarters all season
Stars v Tactix
Saturday 23 May, 7pm at Pulman Arena, Auckland
The Stars host the ladder-leading VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix in what shapes as one of the most evenly matched rivalries in the ANZ Premiership.
The Tactix hold a narrow 14-13 advantage across the teams’ 27 meetings, including a 52-50 win over the Stars earlier this season in Christchurch.
The Stars will be aiming to bounce back after their loss to the Mystics, while the Tactix continue to establish themselves as one of the competition’s most consistent teams.
Key points:
- The Tactix sit top of the ANZ Premiership ladder after six rounds
- The Tactix have won all six second quarters this season
- The Stars remain unbeaten in opening quarters in 2026
- Gina Crampton made her return to the ANZ Premiership in Round 6
Mystics v Pulse
Sunday 24 May, 4pm at The Trusts Arena, Auckland
The GoSweetSpot Mystics host the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in Auckland to close out Round 7.
The Mystics have won the past five meetings between the sides and currently hold a slight edge in the overall ANZ Premiership rivalry, winning 15 of 29 matches.
The Pulse enter the weekend under pressure after slipping to five consecutive losses, while the Mystics continue to build momentum in the top three.
Key points:
- The Pulse are on their equal longest losing streak in ANZ Premiership history
- The Mystics have won four of their six matches this season
- The Mystics have won six of their past seven matches at The Trusts Arena
- Leila Atkins made her ANZ Premiership debut for the Mystics in Round 6
Round 7 at a glance
- Saturday: Ascot Park Hotel Steel v Avis Magic (Dunedin)
- Saturday: Stars v VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix (Auckland)
- Sunday: GoSweetSpot Mystics v Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse (Auckland)
All matches live and free on TVNZ+