As of late September 2026, the New Zealand Silver Ferns are fresh off a Commonwealth Games gold medal and are turning their focus to their next assignment: the 2026 Constellation Cup against the Australian Diamonds. The opening Test is set for Sunday 18 October 2026 at Spark Arena in Auckland, the first of a four-match trans-Tasman series. This guide covers exactly when and where the Silver Ferns play next, how they won gold in Glasgow, the state of the Australia rivalry, the current squad and coaching set-up, and how New Zealand fans can watch and attend.
The Silver Ferns’ Next Game: 2026 Constellation Cup
The Silver Ferns’ next competitive fixture is the first Test of the 2026 Constellation Cup, the long-running four-match series between New Zealand and the world’s top-ranked Australian Diamonds. New Zealand hosts the first two Tests before the series crosses the Tasman for the final two. The Constellation Cup is decided on aggregate across all four matches, so every quarter counts.
Key Facts
- Next opponent: Australian Diamonds
- Competition: 2026 Constellation Cup (four Tests)
- Next match: Sunday 18 October 2026
- Venue: Spark Arena, Auckland
- Head coach: Dame Noeline Taurua
- Broadcast (NZ): Sky (live)
- Current form: 2026 Commonwealth Games gold medallists
The series is played over roughly ten days across two countries, giving the Silver Ferns their first real test since Glasgow and an early look at how the squad is developing ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
2026 Constellation Cup Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test 1 | Sun 18 October 2026 | Spark Arena | Auckland |
| Test 2 | Wed 21 October 2026 | Wolfbrook Arena | Christchurch |
| Test 3 | Sun 25 October 2026 | Qudos Bank Arena | Sydney |
| Test 4 | Wed 28 October 2026 | John Cain Arena | Melbourne |
Where and when to watch in New Zealand
Sky is the Silver Ferns’ broadcast partner in New Zealand and will carry the Constellation Cup live. The two New Zealand Tests, in Auckland and Christchurch, are played in local evening time, so there is no need for the early-morning alarms that Glasgow demanded. Because Australia sits two to three hours behind New Zealand, the Sydney and Melbourne matches also fall in a fan-friendly evening window for Kiwi viewers. Tickets for the two home Tests are sold through Ticketmaster.
Fresh From Glasgow: Commonwealth Games Gold in 2026
The Silver Ferns arrive at the Constellation Cup as reigning Commonwealth Games champions. At Glasgow 2026 – held at the OVO Hydro from 25 July to 2 August – New Zealand went through the tournament undefeated and beat Jamaica 56-48 in the final to claim gold. It was New Zealand’s first Commonwealth Games netball gold since 2010, ending a 16-year drought. In a major upset, defending champions Australia missed the final for the first time and finished with bronze.
New Zealand topped a competitive Group B that also contained Jamaica, Uganda, Scotland, Wales and Trinidad & Tobago, winning all five pool games before progressing through the semi-finals to the decider.
| Match | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Group B | Scotland | Won 74-44 |
| Group B | Jamaica | Won 53-48 |
| Final | Jamaica | Won 56-48 (Gold) |
How the final unfolded
New Zealand led from the opening centre pass and never trailed, controlling possession and clamping down in defence through the middle of the match. Goal shoot Grace Nweke was central to the win, sinking 48 goals at 89 percent accuracy against a tall Jamaican defensive circle. The result confirmed a genuine changing of the guard at the top of the international game.
The Rivalry: Silver Ferns vs Australian Diamonds
The Constellation Cup renews netball’s fiercest rivalry. Australia currently holds the trophy, having won the 2025 series in extra time, and remains ranked number one in the world. New Zealand, ranked second, will take confidence from Glasgow – and from the fact that the Diamonds have not won a Test on New Zealand soil since 2021. With Australia stung by its first-ever bronze at a Commonwealth Games, both sides have plenty to prove.
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| World ranking | Australia 1st, New Zealand 2nd |
| Cup holder | Australia (won 2025 in extra time) |
| Diamonds on NZ soil | No Test win since 2021 |
| Glasgow 2026 result | New Zealand gold, Australia bronze |
The 2026/27 Squad and Coaching
The Silver Ferns are guided by Dame Noeline Taurua, who was reappointed as head coach in September 2026 on a contract that runs through 2027. Her new deal keeps her in charge for the Constellation Cup and next year’s World Cup after what governing body Netball New Zealand described as a turbulent year off the court.
The 18-player 2026/27 squad retains all 12 players who won gold in Glasgow, with Mainland Tactix defender Laura Balmer the only new selection after a strong domestic season in the ANZ Premiership. Fourteen players are named for each Constellation Cup Test. Grace Nweke, now based in Australia with the NSW Swifts, continues to represent the Silver Ferns under an eligibility exemption.
New Zealand’s netball system has long produced elite athletes, including dual-code stars such as Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, who played top-level netball before switching to rugby sevens (profile on Wikipedia).
Looking Ahead: The Road to the 2027 Netball World Cup
The Constellation Cup is the first step in a build-up that runs all the way to the Netball World Cup, which Sydney will host from 25 August to 5 September 2027 at Qudos Bank Arena. Taurua’s contract deliberately spans that event, and the October series against Australia – along with the next ANZ Premiership season – gives the coaching group time to test combinations and blood emerging players before the sport’s biggest prize.
How to Follow the Silver Ferns
For the two home Tests, tickets are available through Ticketmaster, with the Auckland opener at Spark Arena expected to draw a large crowd off the back of the Glasgow gold. Every match of the Constellation Cup is broadcast live in New Zealand on Sky. Fans can also follow squad announcements and match-day teams through Netball New Zealand’s official channels in the days before each Test.
Sources
- Silver Ferns / Netball New Zealand – 2026 Constellation Cup
- Netball Australia – 2026 Constellation Cup schedule
- Glasgow 2026 – Silver Ferns win netball gold
- NZ Herald – Silver Ferns beat Jamaica 56-48 in final
- 1News – Dame Noeline Taurua retained through 2027
- Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 – official site
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is the Silver Ferns’ next game?
The next game is the opening Test of the 2026 Constellation Cup against Australia on Sunday 18 October 2026 at Spark Arena in Auckland.
Did the Silver Ferns win the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
Yes. New Zealand won gold at Glasgow 2026, beating Jamaica 56-48 in the final for their first Commonwealth Games netball title since 2010.
Who is the current Silver Ferns coach?
Dame Noeline Taurua, who was reappointed in September 2026 on a contract running through the 2027 Netball World Cup.
Where can I watch the Constellation Cup in New Zealand?
Every Test is shown live on Sky in New Zealand, and tickets for the two home matches in Auckland and Christchurch are sold through Ticketmaster.
When and where is the next Netball World Cup?
The 2027 Netball World Cup will be held in Sydney, Australia, from 25 August to 5 September 2027 at Qudos Bank Arena.
