World Netball Announces Biennial World Cup and Plans for Men’s Competition
World Netball has revealed plans to make the Netball World Cup a biennial event, aiming to “future-proof” the sport amid uncertainty surrounding the Commonwealth Games. Traditionally held every four years, the next World Cup is scheduled to take place in Australia in 2027.
The sport has relied on the Commonwealth Games, where netball has been included since 1998, to showcase itself to a global audience. However, challenges in securing hosts for the 2026 and 2030 Games due to rising costs have prompted the governing body to take control of its own calendar.
Fiona Harold, World Netball CEO, said the move to a two-year cycle gives the sport more stability. “These decisions allow us to control our destiny and it’s positive news for everyone. As the International Federation, it is our job to sustain and grow the game over the long term,” she explained.
All future World Cups will now be held in November to maintain consistency and avoid disruption to domestic leagues. Additionally, World Netball plans to launch a new biennial event from November 2028, which will take place in non-World Cup years, offering players and fans more regular international competition.
Australia, which currently dominates international netball, claimed its 12th World Cup title by defeating England in the 2023 final. The nation has also been instrumental in the growth of men’s netball, running a men’s and mixed championship for over 40 years.
World Netball intends to introduce a men’s World Cup to reflect the sport’s growing popularity among male athletes. England’s men’s team played its first international match in October 2022, just seven months after formation, while national teams and clubs continue to emerge across New Zealand, the Caribbean, the Americas, and Africa.
Harold added, “International netball has never been more competitive but the landscape is becoming increasingly complex to navigate. World Netball needs to support its members and deliver solutions that mean everyone in the ecosystem benefits. The feedback from stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are committed to helping men’s netball groups realise their dream of an inaugural Men’s Netball World Cup in the coming years.”
The decision is seen as a proactive step to maintain netball’s relevance on the global stage and strengthen its bid for Olympic inclusion in the future. By controlling its own tournament schedule and expanding into the men’s game, World Netball aims to secure the sport’s growth and global recognition for decades to come.
