Bay Oval sits in Blake Park at Mount Maunganui, on the coast of the Bay of Plenty near Tauranga. It is among the newest grounds on New Zealand’s international circuit and, within a few years of staging its first Test, has become a regular host of both white-ball and red-ball cricket. In November 2026 it stages two One-Day Internationals between New Zealand and India.
History
Work on the ground began in 2005, when the first sod was turned on 1 March. The project grew out of a decision by New Zealand Cricket to stop using the old Blake Park wicket for major association fixtures, which pushed local administrators to build a ground of national standard. Northern Districts Women played the first match there in December 2007, and the Northern Districts men followed with their first senior match in the 2008-09 season. Both sides still use it as a home venue.
International cricket arrived in the following decade, and the ground staged its first Test when New Zealand played England from 21 to 25 November 2019. New Zealand won, with the match going into the afternoon of the fifth day.
Memorable matches
- New Zealand v England, November 2019: the first Test played at the ground, won by New Zealand.
- India in T20Is, 2022: Suryakumar Yadav scored a century against New Zealand in the series played here.
- Recent seasons: Australia played a T20I series at the ground in October 2025, and the Black Caps hosted Pakistan there earlier in 2025.
What is coming up
Bay Oval hosts the fourth ODI between New Zealand and India on Friday 13 November 2026 and the fifth on Sunday 15 November 2026. India last played here in the 2022 T20I series.
The White Ferns follow with two ODIs against Bangladesh women on Monday 21 December and Wednesday 23 December 2026. The Black Caps then host Sri Lanka in a Test from Thursday 4 February to Monday 8 February 2027, the first Test of a two-match series.
Visiting
Mount Maunganui is a seaside town beside Mauao, the hill that gives it its name, and Tauranga is the nearest city. Start times and ticket details for each match are announced by New Zealand Cricket.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Bay Oval?
In Blake Park at Mount Maunganui, near Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
Which international matches does Bay Oval host in November 2026?
The fourth and fifth ODIs between New Zealand and India, on 13 and 15 November 2026.
When was the first Test at Bay Oval?
New Zealand played England there from 21 to 25 November 2019, and New Zealand won.