Advertisement
Advertisement
New Zealand is preparing to enter the franchise-based T20 league market with plans to launch the NZ20 tournament in January 2027, ESPNcricinfo reported.
The proposed league is expected to feature six privately owned teams and will operate independently of New Zealand Cricket (NZC), following a model similar to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
According to the report, the league has yet to secure NZC approval, but if cleared, NZ20 will replace the current Super Smash competition, which has been run by local cricket associations for more than two decades.
The existing six-team tournament, featuring Auckland, Northern Districts, Wellington, Central Districts, Canterbury, and Otago, has increasingly served as a developmental platform, while NZ20 aims to deliver a more fan-centric and commercially-driven competition.
Don MacKinnon, who heads the NZ20 Establishment Committee, told ESPNcricinfo that the concept was born out of discussions with former New Zealand players, including Stephen Fleming, and consultations with the New Zealand Players Association.
“We are looking at a short, high-quality tournament in the peak of summer, ideally at our holiday venues and iconic grounds. The focus is on entertaining fans, featuring the best New Zealand players, and ideally some internationals,” MacKinnon said.
The report adds that private investment will allow NZ20 to innovate in ways not possible in the Super Smash, including enhanced fan experiences both at stadiums and online.
Interest from investors is reportedly strong, including from India and other international markets, although no confirmation has been made regarding IPL franchise involvement.
The planned schedule calls for a men’s tournament in January 2027, followed by a women’s league in December 2027.
Scheduling will need to account for overlaps with other global T20 leagues, including the Big Bash League, SA20, and ILT20.
READ: Pakistan’s T20I Tour of Sri Lanka Confirmed, Schedule Revealed: Reports
