Super Smash is New Zealand’s domestic T20 cricket competition, organised by New Zealand Cricket (NZC). The tournament features separate men’s and women’s competitions, with six regional teams competing in each category. It gives established international players and emerging cricketers a platform to perform in a professional T20 environment.
The men’s competition began in 2005–06, while the women’s tournament has developed into one of New Zealand’s major domestic cricket events. Matches are commonly played as double-headers, allowing supporters to watch both competitions at the same venue on the same day.
Northern Brave won the men’s Super Smash title in 2025–26 after defeating Canterbury Kings by five wickets in the final. Wellington Blaze won the women’s championship by beating Auckland Hearts by five wickets, securing their tenth title. The next edition, scheduled to begin on December 27, 2026, is expected to be the competition’s final season under the Super Smash name.
What Is Super Smash?
Super Smash is New Zealand’s domestic Twenty20 cricket competition. It features six men’s teams and six women’s teams representing the country’s major cricket associations. The tournament takes place during the New Zealand summer and gives players opportunities to compete for regional teams while pushing for selection in the national sides.
The competition has operated under several names, including the HRV Cup and Georgie Pie Super Smash, before adopting the current Super Smash branding. Over the years, it has helped develop players who went on to represent New Zealand internationally.
The men’s and women’s competitions follow similar structures, with league matches determining the teams that qualify for the finals. However, the women’s tournament has also used bonus-point rules designed to reward particularly strong performances.
History of Super Smash
The men’s Super Smash began in the 2005–06 season, when Canterbury Wizards won the inaugural championship by defeating Auckland Aces in the final. Auckland, Wellington, Central Districts and Northern Districts have since become regular contenders, with several teams enjoying successful periods.
Wellington Firebirds won multiple men’s titles during the 2010s, while Northern Districts, now known as NB, became a major force in the early 2020s. Northern Brave won consecutive championships in 2021–22 and 2022–23, then added another title in 2025–26.
The women’s competition has been dominated by Wellington Blaze in recent years. The team won its tenth championship in January 2026, including a second run of three consecutive titles. Canterbury Magicians, Auckland Hearts and other regional teams have also won championships throughout the competition’s history.
Super Smash Winners List (Men’s, 2005–2026)
The following table lists the men’s Super Smash champions from the inaugural season through 2025–26.
| Season | Winner | Runner-up |
| 2005–06 | Canterbury Wizards | Auckland Aces |
| 2006–07 | Auckland Aces | Otago Volts |
| 2007–08 | Central Stags | Northern Knights |
| 2008–09 | Otago Volts | Canterbury Wizards |
| 2009–10 | Central Stags | Auckland Aces |
| 2010–11 | Auckland Aces | Central Stags |
| 2011–12 | Auckland Aces | Canterbury Wizards |
| 2012–13 | Otago Volts | Wellington Firebirds |
| 2013–14 | Northern Knights | Otago Volts |
| 2014–15 | Wellington Firebirds | Auckland Aces |
| 2015–16 | Auckland Aces | Otago Volts |
| 2016–17 | Wellington Firebirds | Central Stags |
| 2017–18 | Northern Knights | Central Stags |
| 2018–19 | Central Stags | Northern Districts |
| 2019–20 | Wellington Firebirds | Auckland Aces |
| 2020–21 | Wellington Firebirds | Canterbury Kings |
| 2021–22 | Northern Brave | Canterbury Kings |
| 2022–23 | Northern Brave | Canterbury Kings |
| 2023–24 | Auckland Aces | Canterbury Kings |
| 2024–25 | Central Stags | Canterbury Kings |
| 2025–26 | Northern Brave | Canterbury Kings |
Auckland Aces, Wellington Firebirds, Central Stags and Northern Brave have all enjoyed successful periods in the men’s competition. Northern Brave’s 2025–26 victory was particularly notable because it marked the team’s third championship in five seasons. Canterbury Kings, meanwhile, finished as runners-up for a sixth consecutive season. Women’s Super Smash Winners List
The women’s competition has produced several successful teams, but Wellington Blaze have established themselves as the dominant side in recent seasons.
| Season | Winner |
| 2008–09 | Wellington Blaze |
| 2009–10 | Central Hinds |
| 2010–11 | Canterbury Magicians |
| 2011–12 | Canterbury Magicians |
| 2012–13 | Wellington Blaze |
| 2013–14 | Auckland Hearts |
| 2014–15 | Wellington Blaze |
| 2015–16 | Canterbury Magicians |
| 2016–17 | Otago Sparks |
| 2017–18 | Wellington Blaze |
| 2018–19 | Wellington Blaze |
| 2019–20 | Wellington Blaze |
| 2020–21 | Canterbury Magicians |
| 2021–22 | Wellington Blaze |
| 2022–23 | Canterbury Magicians |
| 2023–24 | Wellington Blaze |
| 2024–25 | Wellington Blaze |
| 2025–26 | Wellington Blaze |
Note: The historical source used for the official champions list does not provide a complete, consistently verifiable set of women’s finalists for every early season. The table therefore focuses on the winners, and older runner-up details should be checked against season-specific records before publication.
Wellington Blaze have won ten titles through the 2025–26 season. Their success includes three consecutive championships from 2017–18 through 2019–20 and another three-title run from 2023–24 through 2025–26.
Super Smash 2025–26: Northern Brave Win the Men’s Title
Northern Brave won the men’s Super Smash championship on January 31, 2026, defeating Canterbury Kings by five wickets at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Canterbury Kings batted first and scored 171/5 in 20 overs. Leo Carter made 47 from 28 balls, while Mitch Hay scored an unbeaten 50. Their partnership helped Canterbury recover after losing early wickets.
Northern Brave chased the target successfully, reaching 172/5 with 13 balls remaining. Brett Hampton scored 55 from 25 balls, while Katene Clarke contributed 33. The result gave Northern Brave another title and extended Canterbury’s run of consecutive final defeats.
Men’s Super Smash 2025–26 Awards
| Category | Player | Team | Performance |
| Player of the Series | Katene Clarke | Northern Brave | 431 runs |
| Most runs | Katene Clarke | Northern Brave | 431 runs |
| Most wickets | Scott Kuggeleijn | Northern Brave | 17 wickets |
| Champions | Northern Brave | Northern Brave | Won the final by 5 wickets |
| Runners-up | Canterbury Kings | Canterbury Kings | Scored 171/5 in the final |
Katene Clarke had a breakthrough season, topping the competition’s run charts and earning his first call-up to New Zealand’s T20 international squad. Scott Kuggeleijn led the wicket charts with 17 wickets, contributing to Northern Brave’s successful campaign.
Women’s Super Smash 2025–26: Wellington Blaze Win Their Tenth Title
Wellington Blaze defeated Auckland Hearts by five wickets in the women’s Super Smash final on January 31, 2026, at Hagley Oval.
Auckland Hearts scored 146/5 in 20 overs after batting first. Wellington Blaze chased the target, finishing at 149/5 in 19.5 overs. Captain Jess Kerr remained unbeaten on 46 from 26 balls and hit a boundary in the final over to secure the victory.
The result gave Wellington Blaze their tenth women’s Super Smash championship. They also completed a third consecutive title-winning season, continuing their dominance of the competition. Auckland Hearts had reached the final after defeating Northern Brave in the Elimination Final.
Women’s Super Smash 2025–26 Awards and Leaders
| Category | Player | Performance |
| Champions | Wellington Blaze | Won by 5 wickets |
| Runners-up | Auckland Hearts | Scored 146/5 in the final |
| Most runs | Brooke Halliday | 306 runs |
| Most wickets | Molly Penfold | 17 wickets |
| Final-winning contribution | Jess Kerr | Unbeaten 46 from 26 balls |
Super Smash Teams
The Super Smash features six regional associations in both the men’s and women’s competitions. Each association fields a men’s team and a women’s team.
| Men’s team | Women’s team |
| Auckland Aces | Auckland Hearts |
| Northern Brave | Northern Brave |
| Central Stags | Central Hinds |
| Wellington Firebirds | Wellington Blaze |
| Canterbury Kings | Canterbury Magicians |
| Otago Volts | Otago Sparks |
Auckland Aces and Auckland Hearts
Auckland Aces have won several men’s titles, including championships in 2023–24 and earlier seasons. Auckland Hearts have also been competitive in the women’s competition and reached the 2025–26 final before losing to Wellington Blaze.
Northern Brave
Northern Brave represent the Northern Districts region. The men’s team won the 2025–26 title, adding to its championships in 2021–22 and 2022–23. The women’s team also reached the finals stages in 2025–26 but lost to Auckland Hearts in the Elimination Final.
Central Stags and Central Hinds
Central Stags have won multiple men’s championships, including the 2024–25 title. Central Hinds represent the same regional association in the women’s competition and continue to compete for their first championship in recent seasons.
Wellington Firebirds and Wellington Blaze
Wellington Firebirds have been among the most successful men’s teams, winning multiple titles across the competition’s history. Wellington Blaze have been even more dominant in the women’s competition, winning ten championships through 2025–26.
Canterbury Kings and Canterbury Magicians
Canterbury Kings have a long history in the men’s competition, beginning with the inaugural championship as Canterbury Wizards. Despite frequent final appearances in recent years, they have struggled to win another title. Canterbury Magicians have also won women’s championships.
Otago Volts and Otago Sparks
Otago Volts won the men’s title in 2008–09 and 2012–13, while Otago Sparks have claimed women’s championships. Both teams remain important parts of New Zealand’s domestic cricket structure.
Super Smash Format
The Super Smash uses a T20 format, with each team playing 20 overs per innings. Six teams compete in each division, with league-stage results determining qualification for the finals.
In the 2025–26 season, each team played ten league matches in a double round-robin format. The top team qualified directly for the Grand Final, while the second- and third-placed teams met in the Elimination Final. The winner of that match advanced to the Grand Final.
Teams earn points for wins and no-results, while a loss earns no points. The women’s competition also uses bonus points in certain circumstances, rewarding teams that achieve specified batting or run-rate targets.
Super Smash 2026–27: Final Season Announced
New Zealand Cricket announced in October 2026 that the 2026–27 season would be the final edition of Super Smash under its current format and name. The competition is scheduled to begin on December 27, 2026, and will feature 64 matches across the men’s and women’s tournaments.
The schedule will use ten match days before the finals, with men’s and women’s games continuing to be played as double-headers. Auckland’s Kennards Hire Community Oval will host the finals from January 28 to January 30, 2027, returning the competition’s finals to the venue that hosted its inaugural final in 2006.
The announcement marks the end of a competition that has operated for more than two decades and helped develop many New Zealand international players. The future format and replacement arrangements beyond the final Super Smash season should be confirmed through official NZC announcements.
Super Smash Records and Achievements
The competition has produced several successful teams and individual performances across its men’s and women’s divisions.
| Record or achievement | Details |
| Men’s inaugural champions | Canterbury Wizards, 2005–06 |
| Latest men’s champions | Northern Brave, 2025–26 |
| Latest women’s champions | Wellington Blaze, 2025–26 |
| Men’s 2025–26 leading run-scorer | Katene Clarke, 431 runs |
| Men’s 2025–26 leading wicket-taker | Scott Kuggeleijn, 17 wickets |
| Women’s 2025–26 leading run-scorer | Brooke Halliday, 306 runs |
| Women’s 2025–26 leading wicket-taker | Molly Penfold, 17 wickets |
| Women’s title record | Wellington Blaze, 10 titles |
| Men’s 2025–26 final result | Northern Brave won by 5 wickets |
| Women’s 2025–26 final result | Wellington Blaze won by 5 wickets |
Wellington Blaze’s ten championships make them the most successful team in either division, according to New Zealand Cricket. Northern Brave’s three titles in five seasons also highlight the men’s team’s strong recent record.
Super Smash at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Full name | Super Smash |
| Governing body | New Zealand Cricket |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Men’s competition began | 2005–06 |
| Format | Twenty20 |
| Men’s teams | 6 |
| Women’s teams | 6 |
| Latest men’s champions | Northern Brave |
| Latest women’s champions | Wellington Blaze |
| Latest completed season | 2025–26 |
| Most successful women’s team | Wellington Blaze |
| Women’s titles | 10 |
| Next season | 2026–27 |
| Scheduled start | December 27, 2026 |
FAQs
Q. When did Super Smash begin?
A. The men’s competition began in 2005–06.
Q. Which team won the men’s Super Smash in 2025–26?
A. Northern Brave won the men’s title.
Q. Which team won the women’s Super Smash in 2025–26?
A. Wellington Blaze won the women’s title.
Q. How many teams compete in Super Smash?
A. Six teams compete in each division.
Q. When does the 2026–27 Super Smash season begin?
A. The season is scheduled to begin on December 27, 2026.
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