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The Road to Hagley: Christchurch to host Super Smash finals
Jaxin Daniels • August 18th, 2025 11:13 am
Hagley Oval is set to host the Super Smash finals in Christchurch | Photo: Photosport
Christchurch’s Hagley Oval is set to play host to the 2025-26 Super Smash women’s and men’s elimination and grand final games in the last three days of January.
New Zealand’s best will descend on Christchurch for a weekend of blockbuster finals cricket, mirroring the one-ground initiative introduced last season at Wellington’s Basin Reserve.
Last season was a turning point for the competition, with TVNZ broadcasts reaching over one million Kiwis, along with a record 7.3 million views across NZ Cricket’s digital channels.
The new season gets underway on Boxing Day, with the Northern Brave hosting the Auckland Hearts and Aces at Seddon Park in Hamilton, with play almost every single day until the final round-robin clash on January 26.
Last year’s Men’s Player of the Year and Central Stags captain, Tom Bruce, says the quality of the Super Smash is extremely high.
“You’ve got Blackcaps and White Ferns scattered across the teams along with plenty of up and coming stars pushing for their chance at the next level.
“With only six teams in the competition, you have to constantly be thinking about evolving your game as you often play similar squads a few times a season.
“You’re forced to progress your game as individuals and as a team, otherwise players will figure you out pretty quickly.
“It’s also great for players to get used to playing in front of a large crowd and a pretty substantial TV audience too.
“If they can get a taste of playing in that context, then once they make the step up to Blackcaps or White Ferns, they already have some invaluable experience playing in that sort of environment.”
Suzanne Pearce, executive manager of the Canterbury Cricket Trust which owns and operates Hagley Oval, believes the move to host finals in Christchurch is a huge vote of confidence in the central city oval.
“We’re thrilled to have both the elimination and grand finals at Hagley," said Pearce. "We think we have the best ground in New Zealand and it’s a huge vote of confidence in the venue, the city and the cricket community here in Christchurch, so we’re very pleased.
"It’s a big win, not only for the city but the wider Canterbury region. It’s a chance for our fans to see the best players in the country play some awesome cricket and for those young players coming through to be inspired.
“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 see the city and the port hills at the other end."
A repeat of last season’s men’s final takes place on New Years Day when the Canterbury Kings host the Central Stags at Hagley Oval.
Home ground advantage could help the Kings who are hoping to win their first T20 title in 20 years, after coming agonisingly close as runners-up in the past five seasons.
“6’s for Surf” is back again this season, with KFC pledging $100 for every six hit, reaching $38,100 donated to Surf Lifesaving NZ last season.
Fans will be hoping that number rises even more in this season’s Super Smash.
Sport Nation will once again be providing live and free coverage of the men's and women's Super Smash finals with our award-winning commentary team.
Melie Kerr double strike turns tide for Blaze in Super Smash Elimination Final | Sport Nation
