The BLACKCAPS play Sri Lanka in a five-day Test at Bay Oval, Tauranga, from Thursday 4 February 2027 to Monday 8 February 2027. First ball is at 11 am (NZT) each day. Tickets are sold through New Zealand Cricket's site via Ticketek, with adult, child, student, senior and group options, and Cricket Nation members get discounts.
On this page
Key facts
- When
- Thursday 4 February 2027 to Monday 8 February 2027
- Start time
- 11 am first ball each day
- Where
- Bay Oval, Tauranga
- Tickets
- Via nzc.nz through Ticketek: adult, child, student, senior and group tickets (The Four, The Six)
- Discounts
- Join Cricket Nation for discount codes
What it is
Test cricket is the longest form of the game: up to five days, with each side batting twice. This Test between the BLACKCAPS and Sri Lanka runs from Thursday 4 February 2027 to Monday 8 February 2027 at Bay Oval in Tauranga, with first ball at 11 am each day, according to New Zealand Cricket’s 2026-27 schedule. It opens a two-Test series that follows Sri Lanka’s ODIs and T20Is in January. The Test overlaps Waitangi Day, Saturday 6 February.
The venue
Bay Oval is at Mount Maunganui, not far from the ocean beach and Mauao. Grass banks make it one of the most relaxed grounds in the country for a summer day.
What to expect
A day at the Test is a relaxed affair: settle in from 11 am, follow the sessions through lunch and tea, and watch the game shift as the pitch wears. Days 1 to 3 usually decide the shape of the match, while days 4 and 5 can be tense, quick or not needed at all if the result comes early. Weekend days draw the biggest crowds.
Who it suits
Cricket fans of course, but also anyone who wants a slow, social summer day with friends or family. Children’s tickets make it affordable for families, and there is plenty of time to wander.
Tickets
Tickets are sold through nzc.nz and paid for through Ticketek. Pick the match, choose adult, child, student, senior or group tickets (The Four and The Six), then log in to Ticketek to pay. Joining Cricket Nation, New Zealand Cricket’s fan club, gets you discount codes and pre-sale access. Public sales for the 2026-27 summer opened on 7 September 2026, and tickets for each day are sold separately.
Getting there
Check the venue and NZC match pages for transport, bag rules and what you can bring in, which vary by ground.
Where to stay
Book near the ground if you plan to attend several days. Our 10-day North Island road trip covers the area.
What to bring
Sunscreen, a hat, water and layers: a full day outdoors in a New Zealand summer can bring sun, wind and a cool late session.
Make a trip of it
Use the quiet mornings before play, or a rest day if the match ends early, to explore. See our 10-day North Island road trip.
FAQ
When is the BLACKCAPS v Sri Lanka, 1st Test?
How do I buy tickets?
Can I go for just one day?
Will it last all five days?
Sources
Last checked 11 November 2026 against the organiser's own pages
