The Constellation Cup is the annual netball series that pits New Zealand’s Silver Ferns against Australia’s Diamonds — for many years the two strongest teams in the sport. First contested in 2010, it is played as a four-match “test” series (an official international fixture between national teams), with games staged on both sides of the Tasman Sea. Australia leads the overall record by a wide margin, but New Zealand’s series wins in 2012, 2021 and 2024 rank among the modern Silver Ferns‘ proudest results. This guide explains what the cup is, how it is decided, who has won it, and how the two nations approach one of world sport’s fiercest rivalries.
Key Facts
Founded: 2010
Contested by: New Zealand (Silver Ferns) and Australia (Diamonds)
Format: Four test matches, usually two in each country
Named after: The Southern Cross constellation on both national flags
Trophy: About 3 kg of sterling silver set with 101 diamonds (3.38 carats)
Title tally (through 2025): Australia 12, New Zealand 3
Current holders: Australia (2025)
What the Constellation Cup is
The Constellation Cup was introduced in 2010 by Netball New Zealand and Netball Australia to give their long-running rivalry a single, perpetual trophy — much as rugby’s Bledisloe Cup does across the same two countries. The name refers to the Southern Cross, the star constellation that appears on both national flags. The contest itself is far older than the trophy: the two nations have been meeting on court since 1938. A series usually runs over four tests, with two matches hosted in each country, and is normally played around October or November. The Constellation Cup has become one of the standout fixtures on the trans-Tasman sporting calendar, sitting alongside the year’s other major international contests (Wikipedia).
The trophy and the Southern Cross
The trophy is a striking object in its own right: a roughly 3 kg sterling silver cup set with 101 white and champagne diamonds, equal to about 3.38 carats. The cup was designed and made in Australia by Michael Wilson, while the display case — crafted in New Zealand by Vic Matthews from black maire, one of the country’s hardest native timbers — rests on a base of 5,000-year-old Murray River red gum. Standing around 47 cm tall, the piece deliberately blends materials from both nations to reflect the shared history of the rivalry it celebrates.
Who has won the Constellation Cup
Australia has been the dominant side for most of the cup’s history. Through the 2025 series the title count stands at Australia 12, New Zealand 3. Australia’s most emphatic run was seven consecutive series wins from 2013 to 2019. New Zealand’s three triumphs came in 2012, 2021 and 2024. Several series have been extremely close: when a four-test series finished level at two wins each, the cup was historically awarded on aggregate goals — the team with the higher total across all four matches. Australia retained the trophy this way in both 2022 (215–208) and 2023 (208–195). Meetings like these are the heart of the wider Australia versus New Zealand netball story.
Series Results
| Year | Series outcome | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | New Zealand won the series | New Zealand |
| 2022 | Tied 2–2; decided on aggregate (215–208) | Australia |
| 2023 | Tied 2–2; decided on aggregate (208–195) | Australia |
| 2024 | New Zealand won 3–1 | New Zealand |
| 2025 | Tied 2–2; Australia won the extra-time decider 12–11 | Australia |
The 2024 series: the Silver Ferns’ breakthrough
The 2024 Constellation Cup was one of New Zealand’s finest campaigns. Coached by Dame Noeline Taurua, the Silver Ferns won the first three tests in a row — including a commanding 61–43 result in Perth — to secure the trophy with a match still to play. Australia took the dead-rubber fourth test 63–50, leaving the series 3–1 to New Zealand and delivering the Ferns’ third Constellation Cup. Goal shooter Grace Nweke was the standout, top-scoring across the series with 169 goals from 180 attempts at 94% accuracy.
The 2025 series and the extra-time decider
The 2025 series produced the most dramatic finish in the cup’s history. Australia, again coached by Stacey Marinkovich, won the first two tests (69–52 and 68–51). New Zealand, now led by head coach Yvette McCausland-Durie, hit back to win the third and fourth tests (61–52 and 62–57) and level the series at 2–2. For the first time, the tie went to an on-court “Series Decider” rather than being settled on aggregate. Under that format the scoreboard resets to 0–0 for a 14-minute period of extra time — two seven-minute halves with a short break — and, if still level, play continues until a team leads by two goals. Australia edged the decider 12–11, with Sophie Garbin scoring the winning goal in the closing seconds to claim the country’s 12th title. The tie-break format has changed more than once over the years, so how a drawn series is settled has not always been the same.
How the two nations play
Part of the appeal is the contrast in styles. Australia has often been characterised by tight, physical one-on-one defence that pressures opponents into rushed passes and shots, while recent Silver Ferns sides have leaned on a disciplined zone defence built around reading the play and hunting interceptions. Much of the contest is won in the midcourt, where the wing attack and wing defence duel for space — if you are new to the sport, our guide to netball positions explains what each role does. In practice the result often comes down to which team can hold its defensive intensity across all four tests.
Where the series is played and how to follow it
The Constellation Cup takes netball into large indoor arenas that usually host basketball or concerts. In New Zealand the series regularly visits TSB Arena in Wellington, Spark Arena in Auckland and Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch; in Australia it is often staged at John Cain Arena in Melbourne or RAC Arena in Perth. Matches in New Zealand are broadcast on Sky Sport. Because it is one of the few chances each year to see the top two ranked nations play a full series, the cup is also treated as important preparation for the Netball World Cup, the sport’s pinnacle event.
Sources
- Silver Ferns — History-making Silver Ferns claim the 2024 Constellation Cup
- Netball Australia — Silver Ferns seal the 2024 Constellation Cup
- ABC News — Diamonds beat Silver Ferns to win the 2025 Constellation Cup in extra time
- ESPN — Diamonds claim Constellation Cup in extra-time thriller
- ESPN — Diamonds win the 2023 Constellation Cup on aggregate
- Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand — The Constellation Cup trophy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Constellation Cup?
It is an annual netball test series contested between the New Zealand Silver Ferns and the Australian Diamonds, first played in 2010 and named after the Southern Cross constellation on both nations’ flags.
How many matches are played, and where?
A series is normally four test matches, with two hosted in New Zealand and two in Australia, usually during October or November.
Who has won the most Constellation Cups?
Australia is well ahead. Through the 2025 series the tally is Australia 12 titles and New Zealand 3, with New Zealand’s wins coming in 2012, 2021 and 2024.
What happens if the series ends 2–2?
The tie-break has varied. Drawn series were long decided on aggregate goals across the four tests. In 2025 the tie instead went to an on-court “Series Decider” — a 14-minute period of extra time, continuing until a team leads by two goals if still level.
Who won the most recent Constellation Cup?
Australia won the 2025 series. After the four tests finished 2–2, Australia took the extra-time decider 12–11, sealing it in the final seconds.
