Image Credit- Getty
The men’s Super Smash 2024–25, which kicks off on Boxing Day at Seddon Park in Hamilton, will open with the defending champion Auckland Aces taking on Northern Districts, winners of 2021–22 and 2022–23. The women’s Super Smash will get underway earlier in the day at the same location when Northern Brave plays Auckland Hearts.
On New Year’s Day in Hamilton, Wellington Blaze, the reigning women’s champions, will take on Northern Brave in the first round in their quest for a ninth Super Smash championship.
The competition’s second day in Alexandra will see the men’s finals from last year, Canterbury Kings, take against Otago Volts, while the women’s finalists, Central Hinds, will open against Otago Sparks on December 31.
Ten locations in New Zealand will host 64 games during the course of the tournament, which runs from December 26 to February 2. There will be 32 doubleheaders for the men’s and women’s divisions.
The competition’s final will take place at a fixed location for the first time in its combined history. The men’s and women’s elimination finals will take place at Wellington’s Basin Reserve on February 1, with the two finals taking place there on Sunday, February 2.
“The Super Smash keeps on growing in popularity and it’s really exciting to see it continue to be so accessible to kiwis across the country,” NZC CEO Scott Weenink said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our game to fans both new and old, while building the profiles of our domestic teams and our rising stars.
“It’s fast becoming New Zealand’s favourite summer domestic competition, and with over 1.3 million kiwis tuning in on TV alone last year, we hope to see it reach new heights this summer.”
The competition will take place concurrently with the men’s white-ball series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, which will take place from December 11 to January 11 and consist of both T20Is and ODIs. It is anticipated that the women’s players from New Zealand would compete throughout the full competition.