Sports
Ford Trophy 2026‑27: Teams, Schedules and Key Fixtures Announced
The 2026‑27 Ford Trophy will begin on 28 October with the Auckland Aces facing the Canterbury Kings at Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland. The final match is scheduled for 21 February 2027. Six teams will compete: Auckland Aces, Canterbury Kings, Central Stags, Northern Districts, Otago Volts and Wellington Firebirds. The tournament will consist of 10 rounds and 30 league matches, with the top three teams advancing to the playoffs. The second and third placed teams will contest an eliminator on 19 February, and the winner will meet the top ranked side in the final on 21 February.
The previous edition was won by Central Districts, who defeated Canterbury Kings by six wickets in the final. Henry Nicholls (Canterbury Kings) was the leading run‑scorer with 588 runs, and Josh Clarkson (Central Districts) took the most wickets with 23.
Key players for each squad include: - Auckland Aces: Adithya Ashok, Cam Fletcher, Lachlan Stackpole, Simon Keene - Canterbury Kings: Chad Bowes, Matt Boyle, Ish Sodhi, Rhys Mariu - Central Stags: Tom Bruce, Dane Cleaver, Dean Foxcroft, Jayden Lennox - Northern Districts: Josh Brown, Katene Clarke, Joe Carter, Brett Hampton, Tim Pringle - Otago Volts: Matt Bacon, Jacob Cumming, Danru Ferns, Jarrod McKay - Wellington Firebirds: Gareth Severin, Muhammad Abbas, Sam Mycock, Logan Van Beek, Liam Dudding
The 14 venues confirmed for the tournament are: Eden Park Outer Oval (Auckland), Colin Maiden Park (Auckland), Saxton Oval (Nelson), Bay Oval (Mount Maunganui), Seddon Park (Hamilton), Cello Basin Reserve (Wellington), Hagley Oval (Christchurch), University of Otago Oval (Dunedin), McLean Park (Napier), Pukekura Park (New Plymouth), Fitzherbert Park (Palmerston North), Cobham Oval (Whangarei), Sir John Davies Oval (Queenstown) and Queen’s Park (Invercargill).
A full fixture list runs from 28 October 2026 to 21 February 2027, with matches at the venues listed above. Live streaming of the tournament is available on the official Ford Trophy page, subject to geo‑restrictions.
All information is sourced from the official Ford Trophy announcements and related cricket statistics.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026‑27 Ford Trophy begin and end?
It begins on 28 October 2026 and the final is scheduled for 21 February 2027.
How many teams and matches are in the 2026‑27 Ford Trophy?
Six teams compete in 10 rounds, playing 30 league matches.
Where can I watch the Ford Trophy matches live?
Live streaming is available on the official Ford Trophy page, subject to geo‑restrictions.