The clash of New Zealand‘s sporting titans returns to Mount Maunganui this summer.

Tickets are on sale for the 2026 Hot Springs Spas T20 Black Clash, hosted at the Bay Oval on Saturday, January 17.

Team Rugby and Team Cricket will meet for the eighth year running, bringing benefits to the Bay of Plenty.

Mayor Mahé Drysdale said he was “excited for Tauranga to be hosting this iconic event”.

The Bay Oval is gearing up for a summer packed with cricket, featuring a three-match T20 series in October against Australia, an ODI against England, a West Indies test, and a South Africa double-header with the Black Caps and White Ferns.

“Economically, the Black Clash brings about $1.1 million into our economy,” Drysdale said. “More importantly, it’s putting our city on the map and showing how well we can do events.”

Despite “worse-than-expected” gross domestic product figures reported on Thursday, Drysdale said he was “confident that the opportunity to come to the Bay Oval and watch some cricket will be a sellout”.

“It’s tough out there, and we’re certainly seeing that. But what we saw at the AIMS Games was that people are still investing. They’re just more careful with their money.

“We want to see the vibrancy of the city take off, give our people some really awesome events to go and partake in.”

Radio host Chris Key with Neil Wagner, Kieran Read and Mike Minogue from Radio Hauraki's Big Show (all in the pool), Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale and Jason Hoyte, Alternative Commentary Collective commentator. Photo / Brydie Thompson

David Higgins, founder of Duco Events, a key facilitator of the Black Clash, said, “There’s a whole raft of benefits.

“Dynamic and major events are good for New Zealand and locations like Tauranga. They can bring in visitation, GDP spend, tourism, enjoyment, and community benefit.”

Carlena Limmer, event director at Duco Events, called Tauranga “a perfect host city” and the Bay Oval “a dream ground”.

“The event always sells out early, and I think that’s a testament to the fact that it’s more than just a sporting contest. The event as a whole is entertainment - sportainment. Locals have to come and check it out.”

Cricket legend Neil Wagner has joined the Team Cricket ranks, with fellow debutant and Black Caps teammate Tim Southee.

Daniel Vettori, New Zealand’s most-capped test cricketer, will captain Team Cricket.

Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read will lead Team Rugby, joined by wildcard Michael Hussey, a former Australian test cricketer, and Joey Wheeler, a former Super Rugby player who is now a TV presenter.

Kieran Read, who played representative cricket in his teens, will lead Team Rugby in the 2026 Hot Spring Spas T20 Black Clash for the second time. Photo / Brydie Thompson

To celebrate tickets going on sale, Read tested his batting skills with a round of beach cricket outside Mount Maunganui Surf Club.

Instead of cooling down afterwards, he hopped in a hot spring spa with Wagner and Alternative Commentary Collective commentators for a beachside edition of Radio Hauraki’s The Big Show.

The T20 Black Clash was one of those events you marked in your calendar, Read said.

“It fills that cup of competitiveness. When you get out there, you’ve got a big crowd, and it reminds you of playing test matches.”

Neil Wagner and Kieran Read rub shoulders at Mount Maunganui beach ahead of January's Black Clash. Photo / Brydie Thompson

Read also praised the unique atmosphere.

“It’s not your usual sporting event. It’s about the fun, the connection, the entertainment. You feel that when you’re playing, you see the crowd get right into it.”

Wagner, who now lives in Pāpāmoa, said, “People seem to love the rivalry between cricket and rugby. It’s nice to see how the event brings people together and what it brings to the town. The Bay Oval is a world-class facility. It’s great for the region to see it keep growing.

“It’s nice for young kids to watch their rugby heroes and stars bat and bowl, being able to see them playing other sports. I think it encourages them to keep playing other sports,” said Wagner.

Currently, Team Cricket leads the T20 Black Clash leaderboard 5-2.

But Read said, “It’s time for Team Rugby.”

The event drew a crowd of about 9000 in 2025, so fans are encouraged to secure tickets now at: Home | Black Clash.