Amazon Prime Video has confirmed that it will exclusively live-stream New Zealand’s 2025-26 home cricket season for Indian audiences, marking another milestone in its growing sports portfolio.
The Season Ahead
Running from October 1, 2025 to March 20, 2026, the schedule offers fans in India a packed calendar of men’s and women’s international cricket:
- October 1–4, 2025: New Zealand vs Australia – three-match T20I series.
- October 18–November 1, 2025: New Zealand vs England – three T20Is and three ODIs.
- November 5–December 18, 2025: New Zealand vs West Indies – five T20Is, three ODIs, and three Tests.
- February–March 2026: New Zealand Women vs Zimbabwe Women – three T20Is and three ODIs.
- March 2026: New Zealand vs South Africa – five T20Is, many of them doubleheaders with the women’s fixtures.
This home season promises blockbuster cricket, with the Black Caps facing Australia, England, the West Indies, and South Africa, while the White Ferns take on Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Star Power on Display
Fans will get to see a host of global stars:
- New Zealand: Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner.
- Australia: Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Josh Inglis.
- West Indies: Roston Chase, Jomel Warrican.
- South Africa: Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Laura Wolvaardt.
- Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza.
- New Zealand Women: Sophie Devine leading the charge.
Why It Matters
Amazon Prime Video’s acquisition of New Zealand’s home season rights underlines three important dynamics in the sports media landscape:
- Streaming as the frontline broadcaster: OTT platforms are no longer “alternatives” to TV—they are becoming primary destinations for cricket fans in India.
- Depth of content for retention: By offering Tests, ODIs, and T20Is across men’s and women’s teams, Prime creates consistent fan touchpoints over six months.
- Market play in India: With cricket at the heart of Indian sports consumption, the deal strengthens Amazon’s foothold in the country’s competitive sports streaming market.
The Bigger Picture
Prime Video’s cricket coverage is no longer just about marquee ICC events or bilateral highlights. This move positions Amazon in the same conversation as Disney+ Hotstar, JioCinema, and FanCode—players all competing for Indian cricket fans’ attention and wallets. With New Zealand’s home season promising historic matchups and high-profile stars, this is not just entertainment, but a strategic play in the OTT wars for cricket dominance.
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