What TV Channel Is NZ Cricket on Today Live? 2025 Guide

If you’ve ever flicked through channels wondering what TV channel is showing New Zealand cricket today live, you’re not alone. Since 2024, the broadcast rights have split between free-to-air TVNZ and subscription-based Sky Sport, so the answer depends on the match and your location. Here’s exactly how to find every BLACKCAPS, WHITE FERNS, and Super Smash game – whether you’re in New Zealand, the UK, or anywhere else.

Domestic free-to-air broadcaster: TVNZ (TVNZ 1, Duke, TVNZ+) ·
Pay-TV partner: Sky Sport NZ ·
Free matches per season: ~20 ·
Sky Sport cricket channels: 051, 052, 053, 054, 055, 059 ·
UK broadcaster: Sky Sports Cricket

The data reveals a clear split: free-to-air reach covers roughly 20 matches, while the rest require a subscription.

Where can I watch NZ cricket today live?

TVNZ free-to-air channels

TVNZ is the exclusive free-to-air home of BLACKCAPS, WHITE FERNS, and Super Smash matches under the 2024–2026 NZC agreement. Matches air on TVNZ 1 or Duke, and you can stream live on TVNZ+ (free, no subscription) within New Zealand. (TVNZ Official (state broadcaster))

Sky Sport subscription channels

Sky NZ holds pay-TV rights for all NZ Cricket home matches and many international series. Dedicated cricket channels are Sky Sport 1 (051), 2 (052), 3 (053), 4 (054), 5 (055), and Sky Sport 9 (059). Subscribers can stream via Sky Go or Sky Sport Now. Day passes cost NZ$29.99, month passes NZ$54.99, annual NZ$549.99. (Sky NZ Official (pay-TV partner))

International broadcasters for NZ cricket

• UK / Ireland: Sky Sports Cricket (channel 404) – also available via Now TV sports passes. (Sky Sports UK (sports broadcaster))
• Australia: Fox Cricket / Kayo Sports – Foxtel subscription or Kayo monthly pass. (Flicks NZ (schedule aggregator))
• India: Star Sports 1 & 2 – stream on Disney+ Hotstar. (New Zealand Cricket Official (governing body))

The catch: international viewers face a paywall for most Kiwi cricket except the small number of free-to-air matches accessible via VPN.

What channel to watch the cricket today?

Finding the exact channel for today’s match

Use these official sources:

• TVNZ+ Cricket hub – lists free-to-air fixtures and on-demand replays. (TVNZ Official (cricket section))
• Sky Sport NZ schedule – real-time channel assignments. (Sky NZ Official (schedule))
• Flicks NZ – aggregates cricket TV schedules across NZ, UK, AUS, India. (Flicks NZ (schedule aggregator))
• WheresTheMatch.com – global cricket channel finder. (Tier 3 resource)

Checking match listings for your region

For New Zealand viewers, a quick search of TVNZ or Sky Sport reveals the day’s cricket. As of today (May 9, 2026), no NZ domestic match is listed on free TV; Sky Sport carries the Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans IPL game at 14:50 NZT. (Sky Sports UK (IPL schedule))

The implication: without a Sky subscription, Kiwis have no live domestic cricket to watch today.

Is NZ cricket on Sky?

Sky NZ partnership with New Zealand Cricket

Yes, Sky NZ signed a six-year partnership with NZ Cricket in 2022 covering all home international matches and domestic Super Smash. (Sky NZ Official (rights holder))

Sky Sport subscription packages

• Day pass: NZ$29.99 – includes all Sky Sport channels on Sky Sport Now.
• Month pass: NZ$54.99 – full month of cricket.
• Annual pass: NZ$549.99 – best value for regular watchers.
• Satellite subscription: from NZ$45/month for Sky Basic + Sport pack.

What matches are exclusive to Sky?

Most NZ home international matches (Test, ODI, T20) are exclusive to Sky Sport unless specifically listed on TVNZ’s free-to-air schedule. The 2024 deal reserves about 20 matches per season for free TV. All other matches, including all overseas tours, require a Sky subscription. (TVNZ Official (state broadcaster))

What this means: for a dedicated fan, Sky Sport is effectively mandatory for full coverage of the Kiwi cricket calendar.

How to watch live cricket in Ireland?

Sky Sports UK and Ireland availability

In Ireland, Sky Sports Cricket is the primary broadcaster for NZ cricket matches (via the UK feed). The channel is available on Sky satellite (channel 404) and Virgin Media. (Sky Sports UK (broadcaster))

Online streaming options for Ireland viewers

• Now TV – day pass (€9.99) or month pass (€29.99) for Sky Sports. No contract.
• Sky Go – free for existing Sky subscribers.
• No free-to-air option: Matches on RTÉ are rare; most NZ cricket requires a paid subscription.

The pattern: Irish viewers face the same paywall as UK residents, with Now TV as the most flexible entry point.

What tv channel is nz cricket on today live free?

Free-to-air options in New Zealand

TVNZ offers selected BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS home matches free on TVNZ 1 or Duke, with live streaming on TVNZ+ (no subscription needed). Super Smash matches are often free, but some games are paywalled on Sky. (TVNZ Official (state broadcaster))

Free streaming trials and platforms

• Sky Sport Now free trial? Not currently available – only paid passes.
• TVNZ+ – completely free for everyone in NZ. No credit card required.
• NZC YouTube – highlights and some women’s/youth matches, but no full live streams. (New Zealand Cricket Official (governing body))
• Sport Nation – free audio coverage of NZ sports. (Sport Nation NZ (audio broadcaster))

Regional free-to-air broadcasters for NZ cricket

Outside New Zealand, free-to-air options are extremely limited. In the UK, Channel 4 sometimes picks up major tournaments (e.g., 2019 World Cup) but not routine NZ matches. In Australia, Channel 7 holds free-to-air rights for home summer cricket but not NZ away series. For most international viewers, free access requires a VPN to TVNZ+. (TechRadar (streaming guide))

The catch: even VPN access may breach TVNZ+ terms of service, creating a legal grey area for overseas fans.

Quotes from the broadcast partners

“This six-year partnership ensures New Zealand Cricket fans have unprecedented access to live matches across free-to-air and pay-TV platforms.”

– NZC Media Release, 2022 (Sky NZ Official (rights announcement))

“Our exclusive free-to-air agreement means BLACKCAPS, WHITE FERNS and Super Smash will be available to all New Zealanders on TVNZ 1, Duke and TVNZ+.”

– TVNZ Press Release, 2023 (TVNZ Official (state broadcaster))

“Sky Sport Now offers day, month and annual passes so you can stream every ball of New Zealand cricket live on your device.”

– Sky NZ Official Website (Sky NZ Official (pricing))

For New Zealand cricket fans, the choice is clear: if it’s a marquee home series or a Super Smash final, check TVNZ+ first for free access. For every other match – including overseas tours, Tests, and most limited-overs games – a Sky Sport pass (from NZ$29.99) is the only way to watch live. International viewers outside NZ face the same paywall, but a VPN plus TVNZ+ offers a free alternative for a handful of matches each season. Save the bookmarks, set your daily alarms, and never scramble for a live link again.

For those wondering what channel is showing the match, the New Zealand vs Australia live stream guide provides detailed information on broadcast times and streaming options across New Zealand and Australia.

Frequently asked questions