16 Nov 2023

International Netball is coming to Leeds

The Vitality Roses will take on Australia, New Zealand and Uganda in a four-day tournament set to take place across two venues in London and Leeds in January 2024.

The Vitality Netball Nations Cup will see four of the world’s leading netball nations go head-to-head across the weekends of 20-21 and 27-28 January 2024 as part of an incredible showcase of international netball.

England, who will also host South Africa in an upcoming three-match test series in December, made history in August after reaching their first World Cup final taking wins against Australia and New Zealand on route to winning their silver medal. The Australian Diamonds and the New Zealand Silver Ferns remain on top of the world rankings, with England currently placed in third, whilst Uganda recorded their best ever finish at a World Cup with fifth place.

The first two days will see a return for the Vitality Roses to OVO Arena Wembley for the first time since 2017. Matches will then move to the first direct Arena marking the first time that international netball has been held in the city of Leeds.

Fran Connolly, Chief Executive Officer at England Netball said: “Following an historic summer where the Roses were once again catapulted into the nation’s hearts, we’re excited to host a Vitality Netball Nations Cup where our fans will have the privilege of watching some of the world’s very best netballers and of course have the opportunity to get behind the Vitality Roses.

“The two venues in London and Leeds will offer the perfect backdrop for this incredible showcase of highly anticipated matches and demonstrates the growing support and interest in our sport in this country. We are very much looking forward to welcoming Australia, New Zealand and Uganda for this fiercely contested Series which will get the 2024 netball calendar off to a fantastic start.”

Vitality Roses Head Coach Jess Thirlby commented: “January is always an important part of our international window and for it to culminate with playing teams of this calibre is a significant step towards preparing for and realising our longer-term ambition.

“As we know, Australia and New Zealand are the two world-leading netball nations and we have enjoyed some great contests with them over the past year, particularly at the World Cup on route to our first-ever World cup final. Uganda continue to improve showing what they are capable of when taking the scalp of South Africa at the recent World Cup. We experienced firsthand the challenge they can pose last year in our Autumn international series and welcome all three nations to our shores and to iconic venues like Wembley Arena.

“All three present different challenges and this will be a great opportunity for us to come up against varying styles during what we hope will be a thrilling series for our fans.”

Tickets to the Vitality Netball Nations Cup will go on general sale at 10am on Wednesday 22 November.

England Netball members can buy tickets in an exclusive pre-sale window from 10am on Friday 17 November with access to a 10% discount. Members will be emailed directly with a link to purchase priority tickets.*

Fans in the UK will be able to watch all the games live on Sky Sports.

*Terms and conditions apply.

Vitality Netball Nations Cup Schedule (FCP UK Times)

Saturday 20 January – OVO Arena Wembley, London

Australia vs. New Zealand – 15:00

England vs. Uganda – 17:00

Sunday 21 January – OVO Arena Wembley, London

New Zealand vs. Uganda – 14:00

England vs. Australia – 16:00

Saturday 27 January – First Direct Arena, Leeds

Australia vs. Uganda – 15:00

England vs. New Zealand – 17:00