Exciting 2026 PHL format packed with plenty of double-header action!

The Premier Hockey League, Aotearoa’s elite domestic hockey competition is back for 2026 with an exciting four-weekend double-header format across five locations. The country's absolute finest men's and women's hockey talent will make up four rival franchises, with close to 100 players in each competition locked into an exciting runway of matchups leading to the Grand Final on Saturday 12 December. Christchurch will host the Premier Hockey League Finals Weekend for the first time, bringing the competition's showpiece event to the Garden City.

After a successful Junior Hockey League earlier this year, the franchises are looking forward to welcoming a number of young U21 talent into their sides with many debutants set to be announced shortly. The opportunity to compete alongside and against some of the country's best players is an important part of the development pathway for New Zealand's emerging talent.

GM of High Performance, Simon Brill, says, “The Premier Hockey League gives our international players a chance to bring the learnings from the international game back into the domestic environment. Particularly after the World Cup, we're excited to see some our senior players sharing those experiences with younger players across the competition.”

This exposure to a high-performance environment is one of the reasons the Premier Hockey League remains an important part of the player pathway. With a clear line of sight towards the 2032 Olympics, bringing players into this environment early gives them the opportunity to learn the Vantage Black Sticks way while experiencing a high-performance environment alongside some of the country's top players.

Adding another layer of excitement to the timing of this year’s PHL is a special international test series with India, marking 100 years since the first hockey tour to New Zealand in 1926. A three-test series between the Vantage Black Sticks Men and India will take place on the 19th, 21st and 22nd of November at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Auckland. Premier Hockey League players are expected to feature, with the series falling between opening weekend and the second round of PHL matchups.

Franchise squads will be announced in the coming weeks, with a mix of Vantage Black Sticks, experienced internationals and exciting young talent set to feature across all four teams.

For the full schedule of weekend matches and locations, head here.

For more info on the Indian Centenary Matches, head here.