ANZ Premiership Returns in 2026 to TVNZ
The 2026 season will showcase the best of New Zealand's domestic netball teams, with elite athletes, epic clashes, and high-stakes match ups broadcast to audiences nationwide. The comprehensive coverage will build on TVNZ's match-of-the-week offering, this year. TVNZ's expert commentary, in-depth analysis, and exclusive courtside access will continue to be a key feature of the expanded partnership.
TVNZ is committed to delivering high-quality local sport to New Zealanders and showcasing women's sport across the motu.
TVNZ's Head of Sports, Events and Partnerships, Melodie Robinson, said: 'Netball is one of New Zealand's most popular codes and we're excited to have the national domestic competition with TVNZ. Our Netballers are at the top of their game, they're powerful wāhine toa, and we're thrilled to be connecting tamariki with the heroes who inspire them, bringing the excitement straight into their homes each weekend.'
Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Jennie Wyllie has welcomed the return of netball to free-to-air television, calling it a fantastic outcome for fans of a sport that continues to thrive across the country.
'Following a season where we've seen, strong broadcast numbers, fantastic match attendances and unprecedented global viewership, it's exciting to now have the opportunity for even more New Zealanders to enjoy the game on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+. Netball is played and loved by hundreds of thousands across Aotearoa, and this move will help bring the sport closer to communities nationwide.'
With the popular rule innovations introduced this year, including the captain's timeout and the game changing two-point shot set to remain, viewers can look forward to even more thrilling netball action across Saturdays and Sundays when the competition returns in April.
The 2026 ANZ Premiership will follow the two-round format, played between the six domestic teams across the motu before the Finals Series. There will be 30 round robin matches and two finals over a 12-week period.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
6 hours ago
- RNZ News
Netball still under pressure in spite of TV deal
Silver Fern Grace Nweke. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport New Zealanders will be able to watch the 2026 Netball Premiership live and free-to-air for the first time in 18 years, but there are many unanswered questions over the TVNZ deal. Tension over the lack of a broadcast deal for the 2026 netball season saw worried players, unusually, speak out about their nerves over next year's season. This week the announcement finally came - Netball New Zealand was splitting with Sky to ink a new arrangement with TVNZ, one that will go back to an era we haven't seen for 18 years - exclusive, live, free-to-air games that everyone can watch. Fans celebrated, but underneath the headline announcement there are a lot of questions that aren't being answered. Financial questions. Such as, will the players have to take a pay cut? Did TVNZ even pay for the broadcast rights, given Sky had them backed into a corner then cut the sport adrift? Will there be a mass exodus to the Australian and UK competitions, given they (controversially) don't have restrictions on player imports? Today on The Detail , two of the country's premier sports writers, Locker Room founder Suzanne McFadden and RNZ sports correspondent Dana Johannsen, discuss the issues still facing netball. Netball New Zealand isn't discussing financial details, but we know it has a slush fund from former rights packages of more than $11 million that it could use for player salaries. "It may be that they take a punch to the stomach this coming season, and I guess they're hoping that they get more sponsorship deals because it's going out to more eyeballs," said McFadden. As far as TVNZ is concerned, "what they get out of it will probably be huge for them," she said. "I imagine that netball will now probably be TVNZ's number one sport as far as coverage goes." "It's still the largest sport in New Zealand, the largest sport played in secondary schools, so making it have a broader reach is a great thing." And TVNZ won't have to outlay a lot of resources - Netball New Zealand will be putting money towards the production of the coverage. It used outside contractors this past season to provide TV their one game a weekend that was broadcast. "We don't know if TVNZ has actually put any money into this agreement," said McFadden. "Netball New Zealand has stressed that they will have to look at other avenues to pay the players, so that's going to be looking for more sponsors, going to the government, to Sport New Zealand for money, and dipping into those reserves." Pay negotiations have been carrying on this week, "but I do think there will be a cut," she says. "Which kind of opens up this whole can of worms ... how many of our players will now go to play in Australia or England?" Last week Netball New Zealand announced the exemption criteria for players going overseas would be relaxed, meaning players such as star shooter Grace Nweke could stay with the Swifts in Australian Super Netball and still play for the Silver Ferns. Previously, Kiwi athletes had to meet a 100-Test cap threshold before they could be eligible to play in an international competition. McFadden thinks more players will head across the Tasman or to England. "I don't think there'll be a grand exodus because first of all those two major leagues don't have room just to fill up their teams with Kiwis." Johannsen said Australia is paying the price internationally for its policy of taking all-comers, with foreigners coming in at key positions and leaving skill shortages when it comes to the Diamonds. "It's really interesting to see but there's no push to change that [rule]," she said. "I don't think you'll see as much as a full Silver Ferns starting lineup all based over there, but I think maybe four or five players could pick up contracts. "If I was a young player, even on the fringe of the Silver Ferns, but wanting a bit of an OE, that's a really great option." Check out how to listen to and fol low The Detail here . You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter .
Scoop
7 hours ago
- Scoop
Groundbreaking Report Reveals The State Of Community Sport In New Zealand
A landmark new report titled 'Stronger Communities Through Sport' has just been released. It's the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken of the role that sport clubs play in New Zealand's community life. The result of seven years of research, the pioneering report draws on findings from the National Sport Club Survey (NSCS), a joint initiative of the New Zealand Amateur Sport Association Inc. (NZASA) and Auckland University of Technology (AUT). The report provides a totally unprecedented insight into the challenges, opportunities, and shifting landscape of grassroots sport in New Zealand from 2018 to 2024. From declining volunteer numbers to evolving partnerships and the impact of legislative reform, the findings presented in the report are both sobering and inspiring. Important statistics from the report include: • Sport club membership has rebounded by 12% since its pandemic low in 2021. • Volunteer numbers have dropped by 28% since 2018—placing increasing pressure on club and coaches. • Only 36% of clubs report gender-balanced governance, highlighting ongoing equity challenges. • 56% of clubs now have formal partnerships with schools, signalling closer alignment between education and community sport. • 72% of clubs are concerned about long-term financial sustainability, with many relying on just one or two core funders. • Climate resilience is emerging as a key theme, with nearly one in five clubs reporting disruption from extreme weather events in the past two years. 'This is the first time we've had such an accurate, long-term dataset covering the actual experience of New Zealand's sport clubs,' said NZASA Chair Gordon Noble-Campbell. 'These sport clubs are the beating heart of our communities providing important social benefits, not only to sport. This significant report provides important, data-driven insights that will inform future policy, funding, and support across the entire sector. This is a game-changer for community sport.' The report also addresses underrepresentation in club leadership, emerging sponsorship strategies, and the need for inclusive access across all demographics. It also reflects the sector's remarkable resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and shows clear areas for innovation, investment, and reform. Already being shared and read nationally and internationally, Stronger Communities Through Sport is certain to inspire, inform and shape discussion across community sport, education, health, and local government. The NZASA encourages anyone involved in sport, including volunteers, players, administrators, and supporters, to download the report and reflect on how its insights can help build a stronger, more inclusive sporting future for all New Zealanders, and in communities across the world.
1News
2 days ago
- 1News
TVNZ to show netball's ANZ Premiership in 2026
Netball fans across the country can look forward to a thrilling return to the court in 2026 with the domestic ANZ Premiership competition to be shown exclusively on TVNZ platforms. Beginning in April, the 2026 season will feature 30 round robin matches played over 12 weeks by six domestic teams, followed by two finals matches. Games will air on weekends, including new rule innovations such as the captain's timeout and two-point shot continuing. In an announcement today, Netball New Zealand and TVNZ revealed the new partnership would bring the domestic netball season to screens nationwide via TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+. Building on the match-of-the-week offering this year, the expanded broadcast would offer TVNZ's expert commentary, in-depth analysis, and exclusive courtside access a key feature of the expanded partnership. ADVERTISEMENT Beginning in April, the 2026 season will feature 30 round robin matches played over 12 weeks. (Source: 1News) TVNZ chief executive Jodi O'Donnell told 1News the deal marked a major step for live and free sport with hopes for a long-term partnership. "It's been really great that TVNZ has been able to work with Netball New Zealand over the last two years with having a match of the week, and I think that's been really good to showcase the power of free-to-air." Asked whether TVNZ had paid for the rights to the netball, O'Donnell said that information was "commercially sensitive" but emphasised the strong audience response. "We've had over half a million New Zealanders watching our netball games already this year so I think, from an audience perspective, I say New Zealand audiences are in for a treat." Netball NZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie welcomed the return of netball to free-to-air television, describing it as a "fantastic outcome" for fans. "Following a season where we've seen, strong broadcast numbers, fantastic match attendances and unprecedented global viewership, it's exciting to now have the opportunity for even more New Zealanders to enjoy the game on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+. ADVERTISEMENT "Netball is played and loved by hundreds of thousands across Aotearoa, and this move will help bring the sport closer to communities nationwide." TVNZ head of sports, events and partnerships Melodie Robinson said netball was one of the country's most popular codes and the broadcaster was "excited" to have the rights to the national domestic competition. "Our netballers are at the top of their game, they're powerful wāhine toa, and we're thrilled to be connecting tamariki with the heroes who inspire them, bringing the excitement straight into their homes each weekend."
