Auckland Cricket’s ACES and HEARTS will begin their respective Ford Trophy and Hallyburton Johnstone Shield campaigns at home this summer, with the 2026/27 domestic schedules confirmed today.

The ACES will open their Ford Trophy campaign against Canterbury at Kennards Hire Community Oval on Wednesday 28 October, while the HEARTS begin their Hallyburton Johnstone Shield title challenge against the Wellington Blaze at home on Saturday 14 November.

Both Auckland sides will feature prominently at Kennards Hire Community Oval throughout the summer, with the ACES hosting five Ford Trophy matches and the HEARTS welcoming Wellington and Canterbury for four home matches.

The ACES will also travel throughout the country during the 10-round competition, with away fixtures against Northern Districts, Central Stags, Wellington Firebirds, Canterbury and Otago Volts.

The HEARTS will face Northern Districts and Otago Sparks away in November and December before travelling to Palmerston North to take on the Central Hinds in February.

The one-day competitions will culminate in Finals Weekend at Wellington’s Cello Basin Reserve from 19-21 February, with the ACES scheduled to play an Elimination Final on Friday 19 February and the HEARTS facing the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Final on Saturday 20 February, should they qualify.

The 2026/27 domestic season will once again provide fans around Aotearoa with the opportunity to watch New Zealand’s leading domestic players in venues across the country, before the ACES and HEARTS return to Auckland for their first-class and T20 campaigns.

Auckland ACES – Ford Trophy

Home – Kennards Hire Community Oval

• Wednesday 28 October vs Canterbury
• Thursday 12 November vs Otago Volts
• Wednesday 3 February vs Wellington Firebirds
• Wednesday 10 February vs Central Stags
• Tuesday 16 February vs Northern Districts

Away

• Saturday 31 October vs Northern Districts
• Wednesday 4 November vs Central Stags
• Sunday 8 November vs Wellington Firebirds
• Friday 5 February vs Canterbury
• Saturday 13 February vs Otago Volts
   

Finals Weekend – Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington

• Friday 19 February – Elimination Final
• Sunday 21 February – Grand Final

Auckland HEARTS – Hallyburton Johnstone Shield

Home – Kennards Hire Community Oval

• Saturday 14 November vs Wellington Blaze
• Sunday 15 November vs Wellington Blaze
• Saturday 13 February vs Canterbury Magicians
• Sunday 14 February vs Canterbury Magicians

Away

• Saturday 28 November vs Northern Districts
• Sunday 29 November vs Northern Districts
• Saturday 12 December vs Otago Sparks
• Sunday 13 December vs Otago Sparks
• Saturday 6 February vs Central Hinds
• Sunday 7 February vs Central Hinds

Finals Weekend – Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington

• Saturday 20 February – Grand Final
   

Article added: Tuesday 18 August 2026