New Cricket Deal for Sky
February 21, 2025 
4 Comments
Sky’s Sophie Moloney and NZC’s Scott Weenink
Sky will exclusively broadcast the international cricket matches NZ plays at home over the next six years.
Here’s the media release:
Sky and New Zealand Cricket agree new six-year partnership for home internationals
Sky and NZ Cricket have today announced Sky as the exclusive broadcast partner for all home international matches played by the Black Caps and White Ferns, for six years from the 2026-27 cricket season.
The 2026-27 season will include visits from the India and Sri Lanka men’s teams, as well as the Sri Lanka and West Indies women’s teams.
Sky Chief Executive Sophie Moloney said: “Sport fans across New Zealand love their cricket, and we are delighted to be bringing Black Caps andWhite Ferns home internationals back to Sky and our valued customers.
“We are committed to delivering this exciting content to New Zealanders in ways that work for them, including a free-to-air component.”
Details of the broadcast arrangements will be announced closer to the season starting in 2026.
NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink said it was important for the game in New Zealand to have certainty over its short-to-mid term domestic broadcasting future.
“We’re delighted to form this new partnership with Sky and to be able to ensure the best possible access for Kiwi-based fans.
“We look forward to working with Sky to continue to deliver outstanding production values and cutting-edge technology for the benefit of all supporters.”
This agreement complements Sky’s comprehensive cricket coverage including men’s and women’s ICC events (such as the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC T20 World Cup, ICC World Test Championship, ICC Champions Trophy, ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup), Sky’s partnership with the BCCI for men’s and women’s international matches played in India, TATA IPL and TATA WPL, solidifying Sky’s position as the local broadcaster of the world’s premier international cricket events for New Zealand audiences.
Good for Sky to reclaim the home rights back since TVNZ could not afford to retain them as bit surprised Warner Bros wasn’t in talks at all but then they want to run Three as a cost-effective network. Wish them all the best and you never know if the likes of Ian Smith and Simon Doull come back. Although I suspect Sky’s rugby coverage going forward seems to be a lot more diverse now, so unlikely that Smithy would be make his comeback on the sidelines. — Sports Benches.
Warner Bros is essentially just a sales office here now – not surprising they weren’t involved. Good for Sky getting it back – the domestic Super Smash stuff is barely broadcast quality cricket, so suspect that’ll be streamed by NZC or produced by them for TVNZ Duke. — Clint.
I guess this is why Sky Sports is going up $5 per month soon to pay for the cricket. — Paul W.
And sewing up Aussie cricket rights for at least 4 more years (from ’25/’26). The big question is, can NZR convince DAZN to bid for Super Rugby as its white knight? — Mike.