World Netball Delayed Biennial Event Plans
The governing body has pushed back its goal of hosting a World Cup every two years due to market constraints.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Tennis
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World Netball has indefinitely delayed the launch of a new biennial competition schedule after failing to secure sufficient lead time for the market. The organization originally announced a strategy in June 2025 to transition from its traditional four-year cycle to a two-year format.
Why it matters
The change aims to future-proof the sport and maintain annual international competition in the wake of uncertainty regarding the Commonwealth Games schedule beyond 2026. Growing the sport remains the central driver as the federation seeks to establish a consistent global event presence.
The 2031 Netball World Cup in Manchester will feature 16 nations, following the established quadrennial tradition that has defined the tournament since 1963.
The players
World Netball
This is the international governing body for the sport of netball that manages world rankings and event schedules.
England Netball
This is the national governing body responsible for the development and promotion of netball within England.
Netball Australia
This is the primary representative organization for the sport in Australia that is currently pursuing Olympic recognition.
The details
World Netball is currently navigating the bidding process for tournaments in 2033 and 2035 while simultaneously pursuing inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. England Netball maintains the rights to host the 2031 event in Manchester, while the international federation manages the broader transition away from reliance on the Commonwealth Games.
Timeline
The inaugural Netball World Cup took place in 1963.
New Zealand served as the host nation for the Netball World Cup in 2007.
England hosted the Netball World Cup in Liverpool during 2019.
World Netball announced its global events strategy in June 2025.
Ahmedabad was selected to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in November 2025.
Season Trajectory
This decision follows the scheduling precedent set by the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, as World Netball seeks to stabilize its calendar. By moving toward a more frequent international rotation, the federation aims to redefine the competitive balance of the sport leading into the 2032 Olympics.
Fans should anticipate the 2031 World Cup in Manchester to remain the focal point of the international calendar under the current four-year structure. The ongoing bidding process for 2033 and 2035 tournaments will now dictate the upcoming long-term competition cycle.
The takeaway
The postponement underscores the difficulty of increasing international competition frequency without sufficient market lead time. Fans and stakeholders should watch for the conclusion of the 2033 and 2035 bidding processes to understand the future direction of the sport's global calendar.
Further reading
For broader context on international competition schedules, visit the Tennis section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RNZ.
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