New Zealand Cricket's plan to launch their new franchise T20 league, NZ20, has been delayed. Now, the league will likely be launched in December 2027 rather than the originally planned window of January 2027.
On Monday, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) stated the delay and the reasons surrounding it. Among other reasons, the board said that the busy international calendar played a part in delaying the launch.
The NZ20 was planned to launch for both men and women at the same time.
"It has become clear that additional time is required" - New Zealand Cricket
In their statement, the NZC said that it "has been working closely and constructively with all parties to progress discussions regarding the proposed awarding of a license and the establishment of the new league".
The statement also said that with multiple Test series locked in during the season, it became harder to go ahead with the original launch date of January 2027.
"It has become clear that additional time is required to complete the work necessary to establish the competition," the statement read.
The international calendar is part of the reason for the delay, as said in the statement, "with the locked-in Test series against Australia and Sri Lanka in January and February, significantly reducing the available window."
"Taking additional time will set up the league for success" - NZC
NZC Chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon talked to media persons about the delay in the launch of the league.
"Our focus is on ensuring the future of domestic T20 cricket in New Zealand is sustainable, competitive, and aligned with the global game. We've been working closely with NZ20 and are encouraged by the progress made to date. Taking additional time now will help ensure the competition is set up to succeed over the long term," she said.
"In the meantime, NZC will make arrangements to continue its Super Smash competitions for the 2026-27 season, and to host the incoming tours from India and Sri Lanka men, and Bangladesh women," she added.
"The competition must sit alongside international cricket" - NZ20 chair
NZ20 chair Don Mackinnon also offered his thoughts on the delayed launch.
"We have made strong progress in partnership with NZC, with growing interest from investors both in New Zealand and internationally," he said. "However, we are determined to ensure NZ20 launches without compromise and is set up for long-term success from day one."
"It is also critical that the competition sits alongside, not against, international cricket. With the international schedule now confirmed, the available window for 2027 is simply too tight. This revised timeline gives us the best opportunity to build a world-class competition that New Zealanders can be proud of and that fans deserve," he said.
He also said that interest from investors in the league was growing, and that the league would soon launch a formal ownership tender process.
