The Hot Spring Spas T20 Black Clash will return to Christchurch in 2021 after the inaugural event this year smashed it out of the park at Hagley Oval. The 2019 event was a sell-out and was watched by over 1 million Kiwis on TVNZ 1 – the highest TV audience for a cricket match in New Zealand in over a decade.

The 2020 event will take place at Napier’s McLean Park on 17 January, bringing New Zealand’s most-loved codes back together for another epic cricket battle. Tickets for the Napier match go on sale Thursday, 31 October via Ticketek, with final details of the 2021 event in Christchurch still to be determined.

Team Rugby is again expected to host a line-up of the country’s top rugby talent. The 2019 Christchurch event attracting the likes of All Blacks Kieran Read, Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett and Aaron Smith and legend Richie McCaw, as well as former All Black and accomplished junior cricketer Israel Dagg.

Team Cricket will want revenge in the Napier clash to defend their reputation, with the star-studded 2019 side including former Black Caps Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris, Kyle Mills, Luke Ronchi and Grant Elliott going down to Team Rugby by 5 wickets.

Coach/Player Fleming and supercoach Sir Graham Henry will once again take charge of Team Cricket and Team Rugby respectively as the two teams battle it out for the Crowe-Lomu Trophy.

With hosts Napier and Christchurch confirmed for 2020 and 2021 respectively, the nationally embraced event will alternate between North and South Islands allowing Kiwis across the country to attend this unique and fun event.

David Higgins, Duco founder, said the first-ever Hot Spring Spas T20 Black Clash in Christchurch was “a smashing success”.

“The cross-code event was able to attract the star names – Read, McCaw, Fleming, McCullum and the Barrett brothers to name just a few. The event was a sell-out in its first year and generated the highest broadcast audience for a cricket event in the last decade,” Higgins said.

“Duco Events is delighted to bring what I call a unicorn event to Napier and in 2020 we will again be delivering the top stars, a competitive match and an entertaining day out for everyone.”

“Duco Events thanks Napier City Council for getting behind this event in 2020, and we are also excited about a return to where it all started in Christchurch in 2021.”

Karena Finnie, Christchurch NZ Head of Major & Business Events, said she was “thrilled to bring everyone back to Hagley Oval in 2021, one of the finest cricket grounds in the country”.

“Ōtautahi Christchurch welcomed over 9,000 people to Hagley Oval for the inaugural Black Clash event in 2019. It’s a fun and unique addition to our strong summer events calendar.”

“Canterbury has a long and proud history in both cricket and rugby, and Black Clash is a great way to combine the two.”

Hot Spring Spas has again shown its support for the innovative concept, reconfirming it’s Naming Rights partnership with Duco Events for the event.

Aaron Sampson, Hot Spring Spas General Manager said, “we are so excited to again be involved in the T20 Black Clash”.

“This year’s event in Christchurch was absolutely amazing. We saw thousands of people come together to connect and enjoy what was undoubtedly one of the best sporting events of the year.

“The fun, the laughter, the competition and the camaraderie all combining to make everyone’s day so enjoyable and just that little bit better. That’s what we at Hot Spring Spas are all about, making the Everyday Better. We are certain the 2020 Hot Spring Spas T20 Black Clash is going to be bigger and better and we look forward to seeing you all there.”

In addition to Hot Spring Spas, the event would not be possible without the huge support of the New Zealand Cricket and Rugby Players Associations. This great partnership saw the 2019 Hot Spring Spas T20 Black Clash generate $100,000 that was invested back to the Personal Development programmes and Past Player Hardship Trusts for both cricket and rugby.