Auckland Cricket will host the women’s and men’s Super Smash Grand Finals at Kennards Hire Community Oval in January, bringing New Zealand’s premier domestic T20 competition full circle more than 20 years after Auckland hosted its inaugural final in 2006.

The 2026/27 season will be the final chapter of Super Smash in its current format, with the 64-match competition getting underway on December 27. Auckland will once again take centre stage across the closing rounds, with all four knockout matches scheduled for Kennards Hire Community Oval over Auckland Anniversary weekend, January 28–30.

The finals festival continues an initiative introduced two seasons ago, bringing all knockout matches together at one venue to create a summer celebration of domestic cricket. The traditional doubleheader format will remain, with the women’s and men’s matches played at the same venue.

For Auckland Cricket, hosting the finals provides a fitting opportunity to celebrate the competition’s legacy while showcasing the region’s passionate cricket community.

The connection between Auckland and Super Smash stretches back to the competition’s first final in February 2006, when a Canterbury side featuring international stars Brendon McCullum, Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan chased down Auckland’s total of 180 in front of more than 4,000 spectators.

Since then, Super Smash has played a significant role in developing New Zealand’s T20 talent, providing a platform for players including Melie Kerr, Finn Allen, Sophie Devine and Tim Robinson. It has also attracted international stars such as Brett Lee, Ellyse Perry, Ben Stokes, Chamari Athapaththu and Muttiah Muralitharan.

Last season delivered another memorable chapter, with the Wellington Blaze claiming their seventh title in nine years after a thrilling chase led by Jess Kerr. In the men’s competition, the Northern Brave secured their third title in five years, defeating the Canterbury Kings at Hagley Oval.

The 2026/27 competition will feature a revised schedule, with 10 individual rounds played across 10 match days before the Elimination and Grand Finals. Each round will feature six matches across the men’s and women’s competitions, with both fixtures played at the same venue.

Fans will continue to enjoy free access to Super Smash, with 24 matches available on TVNZ+ and TVNZ DUKE and all remaining matches streamed live on NZC’s YouTube channel.

NZC Chief Executive Geoff Allott said the final season would be an opportunity to celebrate the competition’s contribution to New Zealand cricket.

“For more than 20 years, the Super Smash has been the breeding ground for our best players and has given fans a chance to see the depth of talent across our system,” he said.

“This season we want to celebrate that history and all the players who have been part of the Super Smash’s whakapapa.

“We’re incredibly excited to celebrate more than 20 years of Super Smash history this summer with the finals taking place in Auckland.

“Auckland always generates a hearty crowd, and fans can expect a fitting finale as the country's best domestic players chase the Super Smash champion title.”

With the competition set to conclude in its current form, Auckland Cricket looks forward to welcoming players and supporters to Kennards Hire Community Oval for a memorable finale to more than two decades of Super Smash cricket.


Super Smash at Kennards Hire Community Oval

27th December 2026
vs. Northern Brave

4th January 2027
vs. Central Stags & Hinds

14th January 2027
vs. Wellington Firebirds & Blaze

17th January 2027
vs. Canterbury Kings & Magicians

21st January 2027
vs. Sparks & Volts

28 January 2027
Elimination Finals

30 January 2027
Grand Finals