03 June 2026 | Auckland, New Zealand
India and New Zealand have officially unveiled the full schedule for their landmark 2026 cricket series, marking one of the most extensive bilateral tours in New Zealand’s cricketing history. The announcement was made during a cultural and sporting event at the Swaminarayan Complex in Papatoetoe, Auckland, celebrating a century of sporting ties between the two nations.
A Landmark Series Spanning All Formats
The 2026 tour will run from 22 October to 1 December, featuring five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Test matches, making it the largest inbound series ever hosted by New Zealand Cricket. Officials highlighted that this will be only the third time India has toured New Zealand across all three formats, following all‑format tours in 2008/09 and 2019/20.
The tour also commemorates 100 years of sporting relations between India and New Zealand, adding historical significance to the series. NZC officials described the tour as “a celebration of shared history, culture, and cricketing rivalry.”
Full Match Schedule
T20I Series
- 1st T20I: 22 October – Christchurch
- 2nd T20I: 24 October – Christchurch
- 3rd T20I: 27 October – Wellington
- 4th T20I: 30 October – Auckland
- 5th T20I: 1 November – Hamilton
ODI Series
- 1st ODI: 4 November – Auckland
- 2nd ODI: 7 November – Wellington
- 3rd ODI: 10 November – Hamilton
- 4th ODI: 13 November – Mount Maunganui
- 5th ODI: 15 November – Mount Maunganui
Test Series
- 1st Test: 19–23 November – Wellington
- 2nd Test: 27 November–1 December – Christchurch
Significance for Both Teams
The ODI leg holds particular importance as both sides prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with senior Indian players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma potentially featuring in the 50‑over format despite retiring from Tests and T20Is.
New Zealand Cricket expects massive crowds and global attention, especially given India’s strong fan following and the presence of star players such as Jasprit Bumrah. The tour also follows India’s T20 World Cup victory earlier in 2026, adding further anticipation to the T20I clashes.
Cultural and Community Impact
The schedule launch event featured traditional Kapa Haka performances and Indian cultural showcases, reflecting the deep community ties between the two nations. New Zealand cricketer Ish Sodhi, who grew up in Papatoetoe, expressed pride in seeing the local community play a role in such a major announcement.