Tauranga set for international cricket

Tauranga is set to host a full summer of international cricket, with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh all confirmed to play at Bay Oval during the 2026/27 season.

New Zealand Cricket has released its international schedule, confirming the Mount Maunganui venue will stage matches across all three inbound tours.

The Black Caps will return to Bay Oval in November for two one-day internationals against India on November 13 and 15 – their first appearances at the ground since 2022.

The White Ferns will follow in December, hosting Bangladesh in two one-day internationals on December 21 and 23, before the summer culminates with a Black Caps test against Sri Lanka from February 4 to 8.

Tauranga mayor Mahé Drysdale said securing fixtures across all three tours was a major win for the city.

“Hosting these world-class teams is fantastic news for Tauranga and cricket fans across the region. It would be great to see Bay Oval packed out again,” he said.

Bay Oval general manager Kelvin Jones said the venue was well prepared for another high-profile international season, with India’s visit expected to draw strong crowds and global attention.

Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner said Bay Oval had quickly established itself as one of New Zealand’s premier cricket venues, while White Ferns captain Melie Kerr highlighted growing local support for the women’s game.

Recent figures show nearly 60% of attendees at recent internationals were Tauranga residents, alongside strong visitor numbers and wider economic benefits for the region, Tauranga City Council reported.

The matches form part of a wider international home summer during which New Zealand will host India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka across all formats, with 42 days of international cricket scheduled across eight centres, NZ Cricket said on its website.

India’s tour – one of the most significant in New Zealand Cricket’s history – will feature five T20 internationals, five ODIs and two tests, highlighting the scale of the summer ahead, the organisation said.

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