Amid growing global appetite for franchise cricket, New Zealand Cricket is turning to NZ20 as a way to stay competitive.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has selected the proposed NZ20 franchise league as its preferred option for the country’s domestic T20 competition.
The announcement was published earlier today (23 March), with NZC Chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon describing it as “the right time to revitalise our 21-year-old T20 competition.”
This in-principle decision allows NZC to focus its resources on negotiations, with a final commitment dependent on resolving key commercial, structural and governance matters.
The NZC Board looked at two main pathways for the domestic T20 format, including potential integration with Australia’s W/BBL, before concluding NZ20 offered the best long-term option.
According to a statement, the choice followed consultation across the cricket network, as well as analysis of insights from a Deloitte report.
“Recognising NZ20 as the preferred option is a significant step, but it is not the final commitment,” Puketapu-Lyndon said. “We wanted to ensure the league is structured in a way that aligns with NZC’s strategic priorities and supports growth at every level of the game.”
What NZC wants from the new league
NZC has said it will continue discussions on key parts of the NZ20 proposal before a final agreement is reached. The league is expected to include and support the women’s domestic T20 competition, ensuring the WHITE FERNS are visible and prominent.
The organisation has also highlighted the importance of regional representation, so fans and young cricketers across New Zealand can connect with local teams and see their heroes play.
While details are still being finalised, Puketapu-Lyndon noted ownership and governance, including equity arrangements, will also be part of ongoing talks.
“We owe it to everyone to negotiate an outcome that best serves the interests of the game here – and we’re confident we’re heading in the right direction,” she said.
Next steps ahead of NZ20
NZC will now work closely with NZ20 to agree on commercial and operational terms. While the details remain under discussion, the board emphasises progress toward finalising a league licence and binding agreement is the main priority.
The league is expected to offer a refreshed platform for domestic T20 cricket, helping increase fan engagement, create new opportunities for players and align the country with global trends in franchise-based competitions.
Investor appetite for the format continues to grow internationally. In March 2025, SURJ Sports Investment, the investment arm of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), showed signs of interest in backing a new T20 league with a reported $500m commitment.
The investment would support a competition featuring eight teams competing across multiple locations, with matches scheduled outside the busiest periods of the cricket calendar to avoid clashes with established competitions such as the IPL.
“This is an exciting time for cricket in New Zealand,” concluded Puketapu-Lyndon.
