Sky has secured expanded cricket rights through a new long-term agreement with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), extending its exclusive New Zealand coverage of England and Wales international and domestic cricket from 2026 through to 2030. The deal begins with the WHITE FERNS’ tour of England in May 2026, followed by the BLACKCAPS’ tour later that year, further strengthening Sky’s cricket schedule during the Southern Hemisphere offseason.
The agreement covers both men’s and women’s cricket played in England and Wales, including ECB Home Internationals and domestic competitions across the five-year cycle. The package also includes several major international tours involving New Zealand, Australia and India, giving Sky a consistent pipeline of high-profile cricket content across multiple seasons.
Major international tours included in agreement
Among the headline events included in the deal are BLACKCAPS tours of England in 2026, 2027 and 2030, along with India Men’s tours scheduled for 2026, 2028 and 2029. Australia’s tours of England, including the 2027 Ashes series, also form part of the expanded rights package.
In addition to ECB competitions, Sky will broadcast the one-off Test match between Ireland and the BLACKCAPS in 2026.
The agreement further strengthens Sky’s cricket portfolio at a time when broadcasters continue to compete for premium international rights capable of delivering year-round live sports programming.
Sky targets year-round cricket audience
Speaking about the agreement, Gary Burchett, Head of Sport Content at Sky, said in an official statement: “This agreement with the ECB is a key part of our long-term commitment to bringing the very best international cricket to New Zealand audiences. ECB cricket delivers global relevance, high-quality matchups & coverage, and lands perfectly in a key window of our calendar.”
The expanded ECB rights also reinforce Sky’s positioning within New Zealand’s cricket broadcasting market, particularly during months traditionally viewed as the domestic offseason for the sport.
Discussing audience interest in England cricket and the wider value of the agreement, he added: “There’s a genuine appetite for it here, especially with a Kiwi, Brendon McCullum, shaping the England Men’s side. It’s a win for fans and another step in reinforcing Sky Sport as the home of cricket in Aotearoa.”
Expanded cricket schedule strengthens Sky portfolio
The addition of ECB cricket ensures Sky will continue offering a broad international cricket calendar featuring bilateral series, domestic competitions and marquee global rivalries across both the men’s and women’s game.
The agreement also highlights the growing strategic importance of cricket rights for broadcasters seeking consistent live sports inventory outside major tournament windows, particularly in markets with strong year-round audience engagement.
