New faces, fierce rivalries: ANZ Premiership kicks off its 10th season
The ANZ Premiership will celebrate its 10th season in 2026, highlighting a decade of elite domestic netball while ushering in a new era for the competition.
The milestone season follows a historic result in 2025, with the VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix claiming their first ANZ Premiership title.
Since the competition began in 2017, four of the six teams have lifted the trophy, underlining the balance and competitiveness of the league. The Ascot Park Southern Steel claimed titles in 2017 and 2018, followed by Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse (2019, 2020, 2022), GoSweetSpot Mystics (2021, 2023, 2024) and the Tactix in 2025.
The 2026 season gets underway on Saturday 11 April, with every match available live and free-to-view on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+, making the competition more accessible than ever.
Following the release of the draw late last year, anticipation has continued to build, with significant player movement and new combinations adding intrigue across all six teams. The evolving landscape has created opportunities for emerging talent, while long-standing rivalries are set to take on a new edge.
The competition will again feature a two-round format across a 12-week season, with 30 round-robin matches leading into a two-game Finals Series. Matches will be played across weekends, with two games on Saturday and one on Sunday, creating a consistent and accessible viewing schedule for fans.
Netball New Zealand Head of Commercial David Cooper said the 10th season is an important milestone for the league.
“As we mark 10 years of the ANZ Premiership, it’s a great moment to reflect on how far the competition has come,” said Cooper.
“Ten seasons in, the ANZ Premiership continues to set the standard for elite women's sport in Aotearoa, and with exciting talent across all six teams, we're in for a fantastic and competitive season ahead."
TVNZ’s Head of Sports, Events and Partnerships, Melodie Robinson, said: “2026 is a huge year for sport for us, and we’re thrilled to welcome domestic netball back, exclusively on TVNZ. Making the sport free-to-view gives everyone the chance to watch our elite athletes compete week to week, whilst also connecting with the players they look up to. We can’t wait for the first centre-pass this weekend, bringing all the action to those across the motu on TVNZ+ and TVNZ 2.”
Defending champions Tactix Head Coach Donna Wilkins said the team is embracing a new chapter heading into the season.
“We’ve got a new-look team this season, with seven changes from last year, so there’s been a real focus on building connections and integrating everyone into the Tactix environment,” she said.
“The group has been working hard leading into our opening round at home, and while the personnel may look different, our mindset hasn’t changed. Protecting our home court will be vital to our success.”
The season opens with what’s sure to be a hotly contested match, with the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse hosting the Waikato Bay of Plenty AVIS Magic at TSB Arena in Wellington at 4pm on Saturday April 11th.
The Tactix then host the Southern Steel at 7pm in Christchurch, before the Stars take on the Mystics at Pulman Arena in Auckland at 4pm on Sunday.
With new faces, renewed rivalries and a bigger stage than ever before, the 2026 ANZ Premiership is set to deliver a fast-paced, highly competitive season as teams chase the title and players look to make their mark.