Netball News

Netball remains one of New Zealand’s most-followed sports, and 2026 has delivered a season packed with milestones: a record-breaking domestic champion, a steady flow of Silver Ferns heading to the Australian league, and a busy international calendar building towards the 2027 World Cup in Sydney. This page rounds up the biggest developments in the local and global game and explains what each one means for fans following the sport.

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The standout domestic story of 2026 was the Northern Mystics winning their fourth national title, the most of any franchise since the ANZ Premiership began in 2017. Off the court, the biggest ongoing theme is player movement across the Tasman Sea: a growing group of Silver Ferns now play in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball league after Netball New Zealand relaxed its selection rules, so many of the country’s best players compete overseas while still turning out for the national team.

Attention now turns to the Constellation Cup, the annual trans-Tasman series between New Zealand and Australia, which runs across four Tests in October 2026.

ANZ Premiership 2026: Mystics’ Record Fourth Title

The ANZ Premiership is New Zealand’s top domestic competition, contested by six teams: the Northern Mystics, Northern Stars, Central Pulse, Mainland Tactix, Southern Steel and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic. The 2026 season ran from April to June as a two-round, home-and-away competition followed by a two-match finals series.

In the grand final in Auckland, the Northern Mystics beat the Southern Steel 56-46 to claim the title. It was the Mystics’ fourth championship, moving them clear of the Central Pulse as the competition’s most successful side. Goal attack Filda Vui was among the standout performers, shooting with high accuracy throughout the decider.

The 2026 season was also notable for its new home on free-to-air television. For the first time, matches were shown live on TVNZ 2 and streamed on TVNZ+. In its coverage announcement, the ANZ Premiership confirmed that its recent rule innovations, including the two-point shot and the captain’s timeout, would continue.

Kiwis in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball

A record number of New Zealanders featured in the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball season across the Tasman. The league’s grand final was one-sided: the Adelaide Thunderbirds thrashed the Melbourne Vixens 61-40 in Melbourne, the biggest winning margin in a Super Netball final and the Thunderbirds’ third title in four years.

Kiwi midcourter Kate Heffernan was a key part of that champion side and was recognised by fellow players as one of the competition’s best. Shooter Grace Nweke, whose move to the NSW Swifts helped prompt Netball New Zealand to revisit its selection policy, again finished among the league’s leading goal-scorers. Defender Karin Burger, now the Silver Ferns captain, extended her stay with the Sunshine Coast Lightning for a second season after helping the Mainland Tactix to their maiden ANZ Premiership crown in 2025.

Silver Ferns and the International Calendar

The Silver Ferns, coached by Dame Noeline Taurua, face Australia’s Diamonds in the 2026 Constellation Cup across four Tests in October: Auckland (18 October), Christchurch (21 October), Sydney (25 October) and Melbourne (28 October). New Zealand goes into the series aiming to win back the trophy, which Australia held after a tight 2025 contest.

On the age-group stage, the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar finished with Australia beating New Zealand 63-48 in the final, with England third. The under-21 result is a useful marker of the emerging talent both nations will draw on in the years ahead.

Every result now feeds into preparation for the next global showpiece. The Netball World Cup will be held in Sydney from 25 August to 5 September 2027, with 16 nations competing. The trans-Tasman Tests and the Australian and New Zealand domestic seasons are all part of the build-up.

Rising Stars and Player Development

Beyond the elite teams, New Zealand’s development pathway continues to produce prospects through the National Netball League and regional age-group competitions, which sit below the ANZ Premiership and feed players into it. Franchises increasingly blend experienced internationals with young shooters, midcourters and defenders pushing for a professional contract. Names that shine at national under-age championships and in the second-tier league are the ones most likely to appear on future ANZ Premiership and Silver Ferns team sheets.

How the Two-Point Shot Changed Tactics

The two-point shot, sometimes called the Super Shot, lets attackers score two points instead of one when they shoot from the outer zone of the shooting circle during the final five minutes of each quarter. Introduced to make the closing stages of every quarter more dramatic, it has changed how coaches set up their teams.

In practice, sides now decide whether to back a specialist long-range shooter for the extra point or keep taking safer one-point attempts. Defences, in turn, stretch further out to close down the two-point zone, which can open space closer to the post. The rule rewards composure under pressure and has produced several late comebacks, which is exactly why it has been retained for 2026.

Where to Watch: Live Streams and Highlights

New Zealand fans can watch ANZ Premiership matches live on TVNZ 2 and stream them free on TVNZ+. Highlights, interviews and selected match footage are also shared through the competition’s official YouTube channel. International Tests such as the Constellation Cup are typically carried by Sky in New Zealand, so it is worth checking the current broadcaster before each series.

How to Follow the Latest Netball News

For accurate, up-to-date coverage, the most reliable sources are the official Netball New Zealand and ANZ Premiership websites, the Silver Ferns site for national-team news, and Netball Australia for trans-Tasman fixtures. Many of these run free email newsletters and active social media pages. For more New Zealand-focused round-ups, our latest netball news page tracks fresh developments as they happen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who won the 2026 ANZ Premiership?

The Northern Mystics won the 2026 ANZ Premiership, beating the Southern Steel 56-46 in the grand final in Auckland. It was the Mystics’ fourth national title, making them the most successful franchise since the competition began in 2017.

What is the two-point shot in netball?

The two-point shot, also called the Super Shot, allows a team to score two points instead of one for a goal made from the outer part of the shooting circle during the last five minutes of each quarter. It was kept for the 2026 ANZ Premiership season because it makes the end of each quarter more competitive.

Where can I watch ANZ Premiership matches in New Zealand?

ANZ Premiership games are shown live on free-to-air television on TVNZ 2 and can be streamed for free on TVNZ+. Highlights and interviews are also posted on the competition’s official YouTube channel.

When is the 2026 Constellation Cup?

The 2026 Constellation Cup between the Silver Ferns and the Australian Diamonds is played over four Tests in October, in Auckland, Christchurch, Sydney and Melbourne. New Zealand is aiming to reclaim the trophy after Australia held it following the 2025 series.

How can I keep up with the latest netball news?

Follow the official Netball New Zealand, ANZ Premiership and Silver Ferns websites for match reports and announcements, and use Netball Australia for trans-Tasman fixtures. Subscribing to their newsletters and following verified social media accounts are the easiest ways to stay informed between matches.