Bold move as election day threatens to clash with major sporting events

Author: Samuel Sherry,
Publish Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2026, 3:05pm

Polling stations might be set up outside stadiums as it emerged that November’s general election will clash with the A-League’s Kiwi derby and a Black Caps match.

Auckland FC will host the Wellington Phoenix at Go Media Stadium twice during the upcoming A-League Men’s 2026-27 season, with one of the fixtures set for November 7 – election day.

New Zealand Cricket confirmed its summer schedule at the start of June, which features a One-Day International (ODI) match between India and the Black Caps at Wellington’s Hnry Stadium, also on November 7.

Sporting events aren’t the only thing the election has to contend with, as the High Tide music festival will also happen on the same day in Wellington’s Waitangi Park.

Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne said voters can always cast their ballots early, or vote before heading to the events.

He added that the Electoral Commission is planning to have voting booths near the events.

Auckland FC and the Black Caps will both be playing on election day. Photo / Photosport

Sport and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell had previously said polling booths could be set up at Hnry Stadium when asked about the Black Caps’ ODI fixture.

“Nicki [Russell] from New Zealand Cricket was teasing me about [the scheduling] on the way in,” Mitchell said at the start of June.

“I didn’t realise that [there was a clash].”

Auckland FC fans who might miss the November 7 derby against the Wellington Phoenix will have the chance to see them at Go Media Stadium again on February 13.

The Phoenix’s home derby game in Wellington will take place on December 19, the week after the Black Knights play their grand final opponents from last season, Sydney FC.

Meanwhile, local cricket fans will have plenty of Black Caps action to watch over summer, including a Twenty20 International (T20I) series, an ODI series and a two-match test series against India. The fixtures run from October through to the start of December.

The White Ferns have an ODI series and a T20I series scheduled against Bangladesh in December.

The Black Caps return for two ODIs against Sri Lanka in January.