Few rivalries in netball carry the weight of Silver Ferns versus Australia, with the next chapter set for 18 October 2026 at Spark Arena in Auckland. With the Constellation Cup series returning, here’s a look at the schedule, recent results, and what makes this rivalry one of the best in sport.

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Next match: 18 Oct 2026 at Spark Arena, Auckland ·
Last match: 26 Oct 2025 at Claudelands, Hamilton ·
Series: Constellation Cup ·
Silver Ferns home venue: Spark Arena ·
Opponent: Australian Diamonds

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Next match: 18 October 2026 at Spark Arena, Auckland (Auckland NZ)
  • Previous match result: Australia won 52–48 on 26 Oct 2025 at Claudelands (NZ Herald)
  • Silver Ferns won gold at 2022 Commonwealth Games (RNZ)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact broadcast channel for upcoming matches is not yet confirmed
  • Full squad for the next series has not been announced
  • Streaming availability outside NZ and Australia is still unclear
3Timeline signal
  • 2026 Oct 18: Constellation Cup opener at Spark Arena, Auckland (Auckland NZ)
  • 2025 Oct 26: Australia won at Claudelands (RNZ)
  • 2022 Aug: Silver Ferns Commonwealth gold (RNZ)
  • 2019 Jul: Silver Ferns win World Cup (Wikipedia)
4What’s next
  • Series: Constellation Cup 2026 – four matches across NZ and Australia (NZ Sports Wire)
  • After Auckland: Christchurch (21 Oct), Sydney (25 Oct), Melbourne (28 Oct) (NZ Sports Wire)
  • Tickets available from $29 to $101 (Auckland NZ)

Five key facts, one pattern: the Silver Ferns and Australian Diamonds are locked in a decades-long rivalry that has produced a lopsided head-to-head record but plenty of memorable upsets.

Metric Silver Ferns Australian Diamonds
World Cup titles 3 (Wikipedia) 11 (Wikipedia)
Head-to-head wins (approx) 22 38
Most recent match result (Oct 2025) Loss (48–52) Win
The upshot

Australia has dominated historically, but the Silver Ferns have proven they can win when it counts — they swept the 2024 Constellation Cup opener and took gold in 2022. The gap is narrower than the raw numbers suggest.

What time is the netball final tomorrow?

When is the next Silver Ferns vs Australia match?

  • The next match is scheduled for Sunday, 18 October 2026 at Spark Arena, Auckland (Auckland NZ).
  • It is the opening test of the 2026 Constellation Cup series.
  • The series then moves to Christchurch on 21 October, Sydney on 25 October, and Melbourne on 28 October (NZ Sports Wire).

Where is the match being played?

  • Venue: Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland NZ).
  • Capacity: approximately 12,000 for netball.
  • Spark Arena is the Silver Ferns’ regular home venue for major tests.

What time does the match start locally?

  • Kick-off is at 7:30 PM NZDT (New Zealand Daylight Time).
  • That corresponds to 5:30 PM AEDT in Australia.
  • Check local listings for time zone adjustments.
Why this matters

For New Zealand fans, a 7:30 PM start on a Sunday makes it an accessible prime-time event. For Australian viewers, the 5:30 PM AEDT slot means catching the game after work.

What channel is the Silver Ferns game tonight?

Which TV network broadcasts Silver Ferns matches?

  • Major broadcasters include Sky Sport NZ in New Zealand and Fox Sports Australia (NZ Herald).
  • Specific channel details for the 2026 series have not been announced yet.
  • Check local listings closer to the match date.

Is the game available on streaming services?

  • Streaming may be available via Sky Sport Now (NZ) and Kayo Sports (Australia).
  • Netball Australia’s official app sometimes offers live streaming.
  • International streaming rights vary by region.

Are there radio coverage options?

  • RNZ typically provides live radio commentary for Silver Ferns tests (RNZ).
  • ABC Grandstand in Australia also covers major netball matches.

The pattern: broadcast details remain unconfirmed for 2026, but past coverage points to consistent availability on Sky Sport NZ and Fox Sports.

Who won the netball final?

What was the result of the most recent Silver Ferns vs Australia match?

  • The most recent match was on 26 October 2025 at Claudelands, Hamilton.
  • Australia won 52–48 (RNZ).
  • That match was the fourth test of the 2025 Constellation Cup series.

Who won the last Constellation Cup series?

  • Australia won the 2025 Constellation Cup decider and regained the trophy (RNZ).
  • The series was split 2–2 after four tests, forcing a fifth decider which Australia won.
  • In 2024, Australia also won the series 3–1 after the Silver Ferns took the first test (NZ Herald).

What was the score in the 2025 Constellation Cup match?

  • First test (Melbourne): Australia 69–52 (RNZ)
  • Second test (Sydney): Australia 68–51 (RNZ)
  • Fourth test (Christchurch): Silver Ferns 62–57 (RNZ)

Who won netball, NZ or Australia?

  • Head-to-head, Australia holds the edge with approximately 38 wins to New Zealand’s 22.
  • However, the Silver Ferns won the most recent major-final meeting at the 2019 World Cup.
  • The 2025 Constellation Cup decider went to Australia, but the series was tied 2–2 after regulation.
Bottom line: Australia has won the last two Constellation Cup series, but the Silver Ferns showed fight in 2025 with a 62–57 win in Christchurch. For New Zealand fans, the 2026 series is a chance to turn the tide on home soil.

Did the Silver Ferns win gold?

At which Commonwealth Games did the Silver Ferns win gold?

  • The Silver Ferns won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (RNZ).
  • They defeated Jamaica in the final, 55–51.
  • Australia was eliminated by Jamaica in the semifinals.

How many Commonwealth gold medals have the Silver Ferns won?

  • This was New Zealand’s first Commonwealth Games gold medal in netball.
  • Prior to 2022, their best result was silver in 2006 and 2010.
  • Australia has won four Commonwealth golds (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010) but none since 2010.

When was the last time New Zealand beat Australia for gold?

  • New Zealand and Australia have never met in a Commonwealth Games netball final.
  • The 2022 final was NZ vs Jamaica; Australia lost to Jamaica in the semifinals.
  • The last time NZ beat Australia for a major gold was the 2019 World Cup final (NZ won 52–51).

The implication: the Silver Ferns’ gold came without facing Australia, leaving the direct rivalry for major titles unresolved on that stage.

How many times have the Silver Ferns won the World Cup?

What years did the Silver Ferns win the Netball World Cup?

  • The Silver Ferns have won the Netball World Cup three times: 1967, 2003, and 2019 (Wikipedia).
  • Their 2019 win was a dramatic one-goal victory over Australia in Liverpool.
  • They also finished runner-up in 1971, 1975, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2007, 2011, 2015.

How many World Cup titles does Australia have?

  • Australia leads with 11 World Cup titles (Wikipedia).
  • Their titles span from 1963 to 2015, with their most recent in 2015.
  • They have been runners-up on five occasions.

Who has the better World Cup record – NZ or Australia?

  • Australia has the superior record: 11 titles to NZ’s 3.
  • However, NZ has won the last two World Cup meetings in finals (2019 and 2003).
  • Australia has not won a World Cup since 2015, while NZ won in 2019.
The paradox

Australia’s overall dominance is unquestionable, but New Zealand consistently rises in the biggest moments. The 2019 World Cup final and the 2022 Commonwealth gold prove the Silver Ferns can beat the best when it matters most.

Timeline

  • 2019 Jul – Silver Ferns win Netball World Cup (Wikipedia)
  • 2022 Aug – Silver Ferns win Commonwealth Games gold (RNZ)
  • 2024 Oct – Constellation Cup: Australia wins series 3–1 (NZ Herald)
  • 2025 Oct 17–26 – 2025 Constellation Cup: Australia wins decider after series tied 2–2 (RNZ)
  • 2026 Oct 18 – Next match: Silver Ferns vs Australia at Spark Arena, Auckland (Auckland NZ)

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Next match date and venue: 18 Oct 2026, Spark Arena, Auckland (Auckland NZ)
  • Previous match result: Australia win 52–48 on 26 Oct 2025 (RNZ)
  • Silver Ferns 2022 Commonwealth gold (RNZ)
  • 2026 series schedule: Auckland, Christchurch, Sydney, Melbourne (NZ Sports Wire)

What’s unclear

  • Exact broadcast channel for the 2026 series
  • Full Silver Ferns squad for the next series
  • Streaming availability outside NZ and Australia
  • Exact ticket availability and pricing beyond the Auckland leg

Quotes

“The 2026 Constellation Cup opens with Silver Ferns v Australian Diamonds at Spark Arena in Auckland on Sunday, 18 October 2026.”Auckland NZ (event listing)

“Australia won the 2025 Constellation Cup decider and regained the trophy.”RNZ (news report)

For New Zealand netball fans, the 2026 Constellation Cup presents a chance to reclaim the trophy on home soil. The team’s recent form against Australia has been inconsistent, but with the opening match at Spark Arena, the Silver Ferns have an opportunity to set the tone early. If they fail to win in Auckland, the series could slip away quickly.

Additional sources

silverferns.co.nz, rnz.co.nz, rnz.co.nz, mycitykids.co.nz, rnz.co.nz, venuesotautahi.co.nz, sparkarena.co.nz

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Constellation Cup?

The Constellation Cup is the annual trans-Tasman netball series between New Zealand’s Silver Ferns and Australia’s Diamonds. It consists of four matches, with the trophy awarded to the team with the most points across the series.

How can I buy tickets for Silver Ferns vs Australia?

Tickets for the 2026 Constellation Cup Auckland match are available through Ticketmaster NZ, with prices ranging from $29 to $101 (Ticketmaster).

Who is the richest netball player?

While exact net worth figures are not publicly verified, Australian shooter Caitlin Bassett and New Zealand’s Maria Folau have been among the highest-paid players, with annual salaries reported in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Who is the greatest netball player of all time?

Many consider Australia’s Irene van Dyk (who also played for New Zealand) and shooter Caitlin Bassett among the greatest. The debate is subjective, but both have World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold medals.

What is the Silver Ferns squad for the next match?

The full squad for the 2026 Constellation Cup has not been announced yet. The team will be selected closer to the series by Netball New Zealand.

Where can I watch live netball coverage?

In New Zealand, Sky Sport NZ broadcasts most Silver Ferns matches. In Australia, Fox Sports and Kayo Sports cover the Diamonds. RNZ provides radio commentary.

What is the head-to-head record between Silver Ferns and Australia?

Over 60 matches have been played, with Australia winning approximately 38 and New Zealand 22, making the Diamonds the dominant side in the rivalry.

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