THE 2022 ANZ Premiership fixture has been announced, and with it comes a huge milestone – celebrating 25 years of elite netball in New Zealand. While still set to be action packed and boasting 14 matches for each team, the 2022 season is set to be condensed to 12 weeks and a two-game finals series to make way for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in July.

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The 2022 season will see the return of double-header weekends, ensuring the six teams play one another three times each and allowing for plenty of court time ahead of the Commonwealth Games. As well as double header weekends, two rounds will feature five matches played over the course of three days, while further details on the 2022 finals series will be announced closer to the date. A 2021 top versus bottom clash will start things off as 2021 wooden spooners, Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, host the reigning premiers Northern Mystics in Hamilton on March 13, with the final weekend set to take place in early June following Round 12 in late May.

A regular three-match round starts off proceedings before Central Pulse hosts the double header in Porirua in Round 2, as Monday night games return once more. Round 4 will mark the  grand final rematch, as Mystics and Mainland Tactix go head-to-head in an intriguing battle, with plenty of player movement across the six clubs making for another excellent season. Netball NZ Head of Events Emma Fowlie said the return of double-header weekends would make for blockbuster action across the league.

“We are really excited to announce something a little bit different for 2022 with the double-header weekends which is going to provide a feast of netball for fans throughout New Zealand,” Fowlie explained. “This schedule allows us to play a full three rounds over 12 weeks which is very important in the build up to the Commonwealth Games.”

“We can’t wait to see what the athletes and teams bring next season in what will be a big year for netball.”

As per usual, all matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 3 in New Zealand, while international viewers can watch and replay to their heart’s content on the Netball NZ streaming website.