Christchurch, NZ – August 19, 2025 – The 2025–26 Dream11 Super Smash will culminate at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, with both the women’s and men’s elimination and grand finals set to be hosted at the iconic ground across the final weekend of January 2026.
This marks the second consecutive season New Zealand Cricket (NZC) will use a single-venue finals format, following the success of last season’s showcase at Wellington’s Cello Basin Reserve.
The 32-day, 64-match competition begins on Boxing Day (December 26), as the Northern Brave welcome the Auckland Hearts and Aces to Seddon Park in Hamilton. The action continues nearly every day until the final round-robin games on January 26.
Hagley Oval named as finals hub for Super Smash 2025–26
Suzanne Pearce, Executive Manager of the Canterbury Cricket Trust, said the decision to host the finals in Christchurch was a significant moment for the venue and the city:
“We’re thrilled to have both the elimination and grand finals at Hagley. It’s a huge vote of confidence in the venue, the city and the cricket community here in Christchurch.”
Pearce added that Canterbury cricket fans have shown great loyalty in recent years, and this season’s event is a reward for their continued support.
“There is something really special about having a world-class international cricket ground in the middle of our city park. You look one way and see the Southern Alps, and the other way the Port Hills — it’s a unique cricketing experience.”
Super Smash returns with national reach and record engagement
The 2024–25 Super Smash season was a landmark year, with TVNZ broadcasts reaching over 1 million viewers and more than 7.3 million views generated across NZC’s digital platforms.
Returning for another season is KFC’s “6’s for Surf” campaign, which donates $100 for every six hit in the competition. Last season, the initiative raised $38,100 for Surf Lifesaving New Zealand.
Tom Bruce praises Super Smash as proving ground for emerging stars
Tom Bruce, captain of the Central Stags and reigning Dream11 Super Smash Men’s Player of the Year, said the compact six-team competition creates a high-performance environment:
“You’ve got BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS scattered across the teams, along with up-and-coming stars pushing for their chance at the next level. It’s a brilliant development platform.”
Bruce noted the intensity of the competition forces players to evolve quickly:
“You often face similar squads multiple times. If you don’t progress your game, players figure you out. This tournament gives guys invaluable experience before stepping into international cricket.”
New Year’s Day clash headlines early schedule
Fans can circle January 1 on their calendars, with a rematch of last season’s men’s final between the Canterbury Kings and the Central Stags scheduled at Hagley Oval.
The Kings, perennial contenders, are still in search of their first T20 title in two decades. After multiple runner-up finishes, they’ll be hoping for a different outcome on their home turf this season.
Standout players like Zak Foulkes and Bevon Jacobs turned heads last season and earned BLACKCAPS T20 call-ups, reinforcing the Super Smash’s status as a key talent pipeline.
With an action-packed schedule, broadcast reach, and rising stars, the 2025–26 Dream11 Super Smash is shaping up as another breakthrough year for New Zealand’s premier T20 competition.
