Begins with Dominant Performances and Early Statements
The opening day of the 2026 Wisden Cup delivered a mix of commanding victories and tightly contested encounters as associations from across New Zealand battled for early supremacy.
North Harbour, Auckland, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Wellington North, Otago and Waitakere all took to the courts on Thursday, with several teams making immediate statements in their opening fixtures of the qualifcation round. North Harbour 1, Auckland 1, North Harbour 2, Counties Manukau 1 and Waikato 1 each secured 12-0 victories, showcasing impressive depth across all disciplines and setting the benchmark for the competition.
As the intense qualification came to an end, we saw our 12 association teams split into their respective Wisden and Slazenger Cup round robin pools
Wisden Cup:
- North Harbour 1
- Auckland 1
- North Harbour 2
- Counties Manukau 2
- Waitakere
- Waikato 1
Slazenger Cup
- Wellington North 1
- Counties Manukau 2
- Waikato 2
- Otago
- Auckland 2
- Wellington North 2
Slazenger Cup Highlights:
As the day progressed, matches became increasingly competitive. Wellington North 1 produced a dominant performance to defeat Wellington North 2 by an 11-1 margin, while Waikato 2 and Otago battled fiercely in a closely contested tie. With Waikato 2 ultimately claiming the 6-6 encounter on game difference. Counties Manukau 2 also continued its strong start to the tournament, overcoming Auckland 2 by 8-4 through a consistent team effort across the tie.
Wisden Cup Highlights:
An all-Harbour encounter saw North Harbour 1 defeat North Harbour 2 by 9-3, further highlighting the association's depth across its squads. Counties Manukau 1 then secured one of the tightest results of the day, overcoming Waitakere 7-5 in a closely fought tie, while Auckland 1 rounded out the session with a convincing 9-3 victory over Waikato 1 to remain among the tournament's early pace-setters.
Day One - Qualification Results:
- North Harbour 1 def. Counties Manukau 2, 12-0
- Auckland 1 def. Waikato 2, 12-0
- North Harbour 2 def. Wellington North 2, 12-0
- Counties Manukau 1 def. Otago, 12-0
- Waitakere def. Wellington North 1, 10-2
- Waikato 1 def. Auckland 2, 12-0
Slazenger Cup Results:
- Wellington North 1 def. Wellington North 2, 11-1
- Auckland 2 lost to Counties Manukau 2, 4-8
- Waikato 2 def. Otago, 6-6
Wisden Cup Results:
- North Harbour 1 def. North Harbour 2, 9-3
- Counties Manukau 1 def. Waitakere, 7-5
- Auckland 1 def. Waikato 1, 9-3
With several associations already showing strong form, the race for the 2026 Wisden Cup is shaping up to be highly competitive. As teams head into the second day of competition, every tie and every match will continue to play a crucial role in determining who remains in contention for the coveted title.
Links:
Follow draws and results: https://badminton.org.nz/event/wisden-and-slazenger-cup-2026/
More Photos: https://photos.badminton.org.nz/wisdenandslazengercup2026/