NZ to host Women's FIH Nations Cup hockey
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
New Zealand will host the 2026 Women’s FIH Nations Cup, bringing eight international teams to the North Harbour National Hockey Centre in Auckland in June this year.
The tournament will see the Black Sticks Women return home to defend their Nations Cup title in front of New Zealand fans after being crowned champions in 2025.
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Joining host nation New Zealand will be India, the United States, Chile, Korea, Japan, Scotland and France, with teams competing across seven days of international hockey.
Head Coach Phil Burrows says the significance of hosting this event is huge.
“Being able to host the FIH Nations Cup at home is hugely valuable and exciting for the squad. It gives us the opportunity to connect as a group, fine-tune the way we want to play, and build real momentum heading into the World Cup.”
Hosting the event marks a major milestone for hockey in New Zealand, with the tournament set to bring world-class international competition back to home soil. It will also be the first time since 2017 that New Zealand has hosted a major international hockey event.
For Hockey New Zealand, the opportunity to once again host a tournament of this scale is a significant moment for the sport.
“Bringing the Women’s FIH Nations Cup to Auckland is a huge milestone for hockey in Aotearoa and reflects the growing strength and profile of the women’s game," said Hockey NZ CEO Michelle Hollands
Hosting world-class international teams on home soil gives our fans a rare opportunity to experience elite hockey live, while providing the Black Sticks Women with the ideal environment to defend their title and build momentum ahead of the FIH World Cup later this year.
We’re incredibly proud to welcome the hockey world back to North Harbour and to showcase New Zealand as a host of major international events”, said Hollands.
Bringing the world-class international teams to Auckland for the June 15-21 tournament will provide local fans with the rare chance to experience elite international hockey in person, and the Black Sticks Women the opportunity to defend their Nations Cup title on home.
The Nations Cup will also help the side prepare for the FIH World Cup in August this year.
Hockey New Zealand would like to acknowledge the support of MBIE, Tataki Auckland Unlimited, whose support and partnership has helped make the event possible and played a key role in bringing international hockey back to New Zealand.
Alongside the women’s tournament in Auckland, the FIH has also confirmed that South Africa will host the 2026 Men’s FIH Nations Cup, to be played in Cape Town from 11–20 June 2026.
The men’s competition will feature New Zealand, South Africa, France, Korea, Japan, Wales, Malaysia, Scotland and Ireland, showcasing the depth and quality of international men’s hockey during the Nations Cup window.
The winner of the each of these Nations cup tournaments will earn the opportunity to be promoted to the FIH Pro League.
Match schedules for both tournaments, as well as ticketing information and broadcast coverage arrangements for the women’s event, will be announced in the coming months.
