New Zealand basketball is having a moment. A massive one. Honestly, if you walked into the TSB Arena in Wellington right now, you’d feel a vibe that didn't exist a decade ago. It’s loud. It’s crowded. The Wellington Saints are currently the kings of the mountain after snagging their 13th title in 2025, and the rest of the league is hungry.
The New Zealand Basketball League—officially known as Sal’s NBL for sponsorship reasons—isn't just a minor league anymore. It has become a legitimate launching pad for the NBA and a summer home for some of the grittiest pros in the southern hemisphere.
The 2026 Landscape: Who’s Actually Playing?
The 2026 season officially tips off on April 9, 2026, when the Manawatū Jets host the Taranaki Airs. It's a long grind that runs through to August. We have 11 teams in the mix this year. No more Indian Panthers—they withdrew back in 2025—so the schedule is a bit more streamlined.
Here is the current lineup of teams fighting for the banner:
- Auckland Tuatara (The North Shore heavyweights)
- Canterbury Rams (Back-to-back champs in '23 and '24)
- Franklin Bulls (The pride of Pukekohe)
- Hawke’s Bay Hawks
- Manawatū Jets
- Nelson Giants
- Otago Nuggets
- Southland Sharks (The 2025 runners-up)
- Taranaki Airs
- Tauranga Whai (The newcomers making waves)
- Wellington Saints (The gold standard)
Why the Saints Are So Annoying (to Everyone Else)
The Saints are basically the Boston Celtics of New Zealand. They’ve won 13 championships. They won it last year by beating the Southland Sharks 88-83 in a game that was way closer than the score suggests. Hyrum Harris was the Grand Final MVP, and he’s back. When you play in Wellington, you aren't just playing a team; you’re playing a legacy.
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The Rapid League: A Weird Innovation That Actually Works
You might’ve heard of the Rapid League. If you haven't, it’s kinda wild. It’s a literal curtain-raiser game played just before the main NBL game.
It uses the exact same rosters but focuses on the bench players and younger talent. The points from these games actually contribute to a separate Rapid League ladder. It's fast. It’s only 16 minutes long (four 4-minute quarters). It gives the kids a chance to show they belong before the "big boys" take the court for the full 40-minute NBL clash. Fans love it because you get two games for the price of one.
The NBA Connection is Real
People used to think the New Zealand Basketball League was just for locals. Wrong.
Look at Torrey Craig. He started here. Steven Adams played here. Even Kirk Penney used this league to catapult himself to the global stage. For the 2026 season, free agency has been a circus. The league allows three "restricted" players (usually Americans) per team.
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In 2025, we saw guys like Josiah Allick (Southland Sharks) win the MVP. These aren't just random imports; these are high-level athletes who couldn't quite stick in the NBA or G-League and want to prove they can lead a franchise. The scouting scouts are always in the stands. Always.
Watching the Games (Without a Satellite Dish)
If you're trying to catch the action in 2026, it’s easier than ever. Sky Sport is still the main home in NZ, but the partnership with TVNZ+ has been a game-changer for accessibility.
Over in Australia and internationally, the deal with ESPN and Disney+ means you can stream basically every game live. They even introduced the "Ignite Cup" recently, which is an in-season tournament played on Wednesday nights. It adds a bit of spice to the middle of the week when the regular season starts to feel like a slog.
What Most People Get Wrong About the NBL
A lot of casual fans think the Australian NBL and the New Zealand NBL are the same thing. They aren't.
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The New Zealand Breakers play in the Australian league. The Sal’s NBL is the domestic New Zealand league. However, the crossover is huge. Almost every New Zealand player in the Breakers' system plays for an NBL team during the winter. It’s a year-round cycle. If you want to see the next generation of "Tall Blacks" (the national team), you watch the local league.
Key Matchups to Circle
- April 10: Southland Sharks vs. Otago Nuggets. They call it the Southern Stoush. It's personal.
- April 11: Auckland Tuatara vs. Franklin Bulls. The "Battle of the Big Smoke." North vs. South Auckland.
- May 21: Wellington Saints vs. Southland Sharks. The 2025 Grand Final rematch.
How to Get Involved
If you're actually looking to follow the league this year, don't just check the scores on a phone app.
- Go to a game. Especially in Nelson or Invercargill. The gyms are smaller, the fans are right on top of the court, and the atmosphere is incredibly intimate.
- Follow the Rapid League. It’s the best way to spot the next star before they become a household name.
- Watch the ANZAC Day games. The league usually does a massive triple-header. In 2026, the Bulls face the Rams in Pukekohe, which is always a sell-out.
The New Zealand Basketball League has stopped being a "development" circuit. It’s a destination. Whether you’re a die-hard stats nerd or just someone who wants to see some high-flying dunks on a Thursday night, the quality of play has never been higher.
Keep an eye on the Taranaki Airs this season. They’ve been building something quiet but dangerous. They might just be the ones to finally knock the Saints off their perch.